Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2025–Dec 24th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

The conditions and field reports suggest growing confidence in the snowpack. However, more snow and ridgetop loading mean the hazard will rise—choose terrain carefully, reduce exposure, travel responsibly, and keep objectives simple—inattention may have significant consequences.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Weather station maintenance flight today showed widespread avalanche cycle across the bulletin region at all elevations. Many prone slopes appeared to cycle early in the storm and have since reloaded.

Snowpack Summary

About 100 cm of new snow this week, more up high, with some wind slab forming in lees. Snow depths range from 140–200 cm in Parker’s; 110 cm in Maligne. The snowpack looks and feels strong, with a supportive mid-pack. No major weak layers found in field tests, and reports suggest growing confidence. However, new snow, wind loading, and a strong temperature gradient mean the hazard will rise—choose terrain carefully, reduce exposure, and travel responsibly.

Weather Summary

Overnight: Mainly cloudy. No precipitation. Low -12 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.

Wednesday: Periods of snow, 16 cm. High -2 °C. Ridge wind south: 15 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.

Thursday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. 4 cm. Low -11 °C, High -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.