Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2025–Dec 15th, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

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.

Snow, wind, and warm temperatures are keeping the avalanche hazard HIGH. Now is the time to stay away from any avalanche runout. Good skiing can be found in protected areas below treeline that are free from hazard.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

One long and loud audible avalanche was heard in the Black Prince area on Sunday. Some slide paths on Mt. Rundle have also run.

Snowpack Summary

15cm of new snow came in last night that sits on top of a 25-40cm stiff wind slab. This wind slab is producing easy compression tests(CTE) overtop of a softer(4 finger)layer comprised of decomposed particles(DF). This theme of new snow and wind will continue for at least the next 2 days. The November raincrust can be found 82-120cm down and is a concern for an avalanche step-down.

Weather Summary

Monday is forecast to bring in another 5-10cm of snow along with 70km/hr SW winds. Unfortunately, the freezing level will rise to 2400m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.