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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2025–Dec 28th, 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

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Snowfall has finally ended but the snowpack will still take time to adjust to the recent loading.

Use extra caution when approaching or exposed to alpine terrain where windslabs are fresh, and the deep persistent slab problem is the most prevalent.

Temperatures are cold. Factor this into your decision-making.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Helicopter avalanche control on the 93S at Mt Whymper and Vermilion Peak produced mainly small slabs up to sz 2 within surface instabilities. Vermillion Peak S had a sz 2.5 that remoted into a thin area on the upper face and ran far. No results with Gasex on Mt Bourgeau last night.

The SSV ski patrol reported the Bourgeau Right-Hand avalanche path went sz 3 at approx 15:00 Saturday afternoon. Investigation of the start zone indicates this was likely triggered by goats.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of snow overnight brings storm totals to 30-60 cm in the last 4 days, while moderate southerly and westerly winds have created fresh windslabs in alpine and open treeline terrain.

There is 40-80 cm over the Dec 15 melt-freeze crust (which is present to ~1800 - 2000m).

The significant snow load that accumulated so far this December continues to settle over the weak November facet/crust interface now down 80-160 cm.

Treeline snow depths range from 100-200cm plus.

Weather Summary

As a high-pressure system takes over. Clear and cold replaces the prolonged snowy weather we have had.

A northwest flow will bring light winds overnight that may increase Sunday to moderate at ridgetop. Temperatures increase from near -20C at valley bottom to -15C through the day.

Sunday evening may bring a further increase in the temps and in the winds, which will shift to west.

Link to weather forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.