Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 21st, 2025–Nov 23rd, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Regions

Jasper, Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Moderate to strong SW winds have built fresh wind slabs in the alpine and in open treeline features. As you move into wind-affected terrain, take the time to assess each slope carefully.

The snowpack is building around the Icefields but early season conditions still persist across most of the region.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanches were reported on Thursday 20th in steep alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is highly variable across the region. The Icefields area has 50-80 cm at tree line and the Maligne area has 10-15 cm. Since the Nov 13 storm, moderate to strong SW winds have transported snow in open areas, and Nov 18 brought up to 5 mm, falling as rain at tree line and below. There is not yet much information available about the early season snowpack structure, so be sure to dig down and investigate if you're heading out, and post your observations to the MIN!

Weather Summary

Saturday

Snowfall amounts ~7 cm. Alpine temperature: High -3 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h. Freezing level: 1700 metres.

Sunday

Snowfall amounts ~12 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High -3 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h. Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Small avalanches may cause climbers to fall or bury belayers and gear.
Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.

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.