Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 20th, 2025–Dec 21st, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Avoid overhead hazard and consider staying out of avalanche terrain until the snowpack adjusts

Recent snowfall and strong winds along the Icefields Parkway have created significant wind loading & produced large avalanches

Next update for Highway 93N will be provided December 21 12:00. Refer to 511 Alberta for reopening update

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

December 19th Avalanche control on Highway 93N produced numerous avalanches up to size 4 running fast, far and very destructive.

Natural avalanches up to size 4 have been reported along the closed section of highway 93N in the last 48 hours. Natural activity is expected to continue with snow and wind forecasted to continue.

Snowpack Summary

Continuous snow since December 14th has accumulated to up to 110cm in the Parker's area. Moderate to strong winds continue significantly loaded lee features. The height of snow is up to 140-180 cm in wind protected areas for this zone. Snow depth is up to 100 cm in the Maligne area. Weaker facet layers are now buried deep within the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Cloudy conditions and continued flurries are expected through tonight and Sunday. Total new snowfall of up to 10-15cm is possible, with alpine temperatures remaining cold around -11 °C to -9 °C. Winds will stay mostly light with occasional ridge gusts up to 30 km/h, and the freezing level will remain at valley bottom throughout the period.

Monday

Light flurries with up to 7 cm of new snow. Alpine temperatures will remain cold, ranging from -11 °C to -9 °C, with mostly light ridge winds occasionally gusting up to 30 km/h. The freezing level will remain at valley bottom.

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.