Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada

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

Deep persistent slabs remain the primary avalanche concern.

While seeking good turns, be mindful of the thick to thin transitions within the snowpack where this layer is more likely to be triggered.

Good skiing can still be found in sheltered locations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There was a size 1, and a size 2 wind slab observed on different features of Parkers ridge on December 27th.

Outside the park there have been recent reports of explosive results on the early season crusts producing avalanches up to size 2.5

Snowpack Summary

Sheltered locations may still hold 15cm of soft snow. In protected areas, a weak layer of Surface Hoar or melt freeze crust may be 10-30cm down. The mid pack is mostly made up of facets. At the bottom of the snowpack there are multiple early season crusts with facets above and below.

Weather Summary

MondayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -8 Â°C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -14 Â°C, High -12 Â°C. Ridge wind west: 10 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -16 Â°C, High -13 Â°C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Avoid wind loaded unsupported terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2024 4:00PM