Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 21st, 2025–Dec 22nd, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Continued flurries and increasing winds will keep the avalanche danger rating elevated. A conservative mindset is key to enjoying the current snowpack.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today, but visibility was limited.

Snowpack Summary

Another 15cm of snow from Saturday afternoon brings the storm snow totals to 60cm-115cm zone dependant. Wind slabs are widespread in the alpine and on lee and cross-loaded features at treeline. These wind slabs are likely to be reactive to skier traffic. The December 16th crust is down about 75cm. The November crust is now down 100-150cm, and is showing signs of faceting. Any avalanche triggered in the upper snowpack has a strong likelihood to step down to deeper instabilities.

Weather Summary

Sunday night: Flurries up to 5cm, Low of -9 35km/h Southwest winds

Monday: Mostly cloudy with the chance for some blue. Day time high around -9. Winds will be 40-55km/h out of the Southwest at ridge top.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.