- Date
- Friday, February 27, 2026
- Tagged under
Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected across much of Western Canada again this weekend. As the stormy period comes to an end, the sun will be out and it will be glorious in the mountains–but don’t let the sunny conditions lure you into a false sense of security. In places where the danger is High our advice is simple: avoid avalanche terrain. Where danger is at Considerable, we will require a lot of discipline to recreate safely.
While we welcome all the new snow that fell this week, in many areas it is sitting over weak layers in the snowpack and will take extra time to stabilize. Very large avalanches have been observed throughout the week and are expected to continue over the weekend.
Don’t discount the impact of the sun this weekend. It starts to really pack a punch this time of year. Credit: MIN User Devin Franklin
Don’t underestimate Considerable danger. Remember that the definition of Considerable danger is “dangerous avalanche conditions” and that human triggered avalanches are likely under Considerable danger. Most avalanche accidents occur at this rating.
In areas with a persistent slab problem, avalanches have been observed to pull back into low-angle terrain. Give yourself a wide margin of safety this weekend. Credit: MIN User n.lanaway
As well as the unstable snowpack, we need to factor in that the sun really starts to pack a punch this time of year, too. We will likely see solar-triggered avalanches on slopes facing the sun during the heat of the afternoon. Give steep, sun-exposed slopes a wide berth this weekend and watch your overhead exposure.
Here’s our advice on how to manage conditions this weekend:
- Always be aware of your surroundings and watch what is above you. Right now, it’s possible to trigger avalanches from the bottom of an avalanche path.
- Be diligent about terrain choices and stick to slope angles less than 30 degrees when in clearings, open trees, and alpine terrain.
- Think about the consequences of your terrain choices. Ask yourself what would happen if an avalanche occurred on that slope..
- Make your uptracks in the safest place you can. Think ridges, ribs, and forested areas.
- Watch for other groups and give each other a wide margin of error. Remember, remote triggering is possible from further than you might imagine.
- Avoid exposure to overhead hazards, especially during periods of strong sun and warming.
- Choose really good safe spots. Persistent slabs will propagate much wider than you might expect and pull back into surprisingly low-angled terrain. Make sure you are regrouping well away from danger.
- Don’t forget that persistent slabs don’t always give clues about instability until it’s too late. It’s time to play it safe.
It’s great to see fresh snow after the long dry spell, but the snowpack is tricky in most areas and will take time to stabilize. If you’re heading out for the sunny weekend, stay disciplined. Keep a conservative mindset and don’t let the sun and powder pull you into consequential terrain.
Very large avalanches were observed on Friday in Rogers Pass. Credit: MIN User alexandrehetu1
A prominent weak layer sits below the recent storm snow in many areas. Credit: MIN User duncan
Avalanches have been observed on relatively low angle slopes recently in areas with a persistent slab problem. Credit: MIN User ben.gollat
During periods of strong sun, limit your exposure to slopes with rocky outcrops as these are common places for solar-triggered avalanches. Credit: MIN User breanne.erica
Wide propagations and remote triggering are common features of a persistent slab problem. Always know what is above you and give yourself a wide margin when travelling below steep slopes. Credit: MIN User dduley
We have seen a lot of avalanche activity around treeline elevations recently where the weak layer is generally most prominent. Credit: MIN User j_nowicki