Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2025–Dec 18th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

The Parker's area has seen extreme winds and 70-100 cm of snowfall since Sunday. Very conservative terrain selection and careful evaluation of the snowpack is necessary following this major storm event.

Highway 93 remains closed as of Wednesday, Dec 17th. Check 511 for updates.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

In the Parker's area there has been a widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3. Avalanche control from December 16th produced numerous size 1.5 to 2.5 wind slab and persistent slab avalanches. Natural activity is expected to continue with additional snow and wind throughout the week.

Snowpack Summary

The storm from Sunday to Tuesday brought 60-80 cm of snow to the Parker's area along with strong to extreme winds, which has significantly loaded lee features. Wednesday brought an additional 10-20 cm. This brings the height of snow up to 140-180 cm in wind protected areas for this zone. Snow depth is up to 80 cm in the Maligne area. Weaker facet layers are now buried deep within the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Thursday will bring more snow, up to 15 cm, and day time temperatures getting up to -12 °C in the Parkers area. Winds are expected to decrease to 20-40 km/h out of the SW.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

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.

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.

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.