Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 25th, 2026–Jan 26th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

At the top of the snowpack is a weak layer that may be problematic in areas of wind loading. At the bottom of the snowpack, the weak basal layer may be difficult to trigger, but steep, shallow areas should still be carefully assessed.

Good skiing can be found in sheltered locations below tree line.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

On January 25th, numerous, small, dry-loose avalanches were observed in steep, rocky terrain.

On January 20th, a skier triggered a size 2.5 outside the Lake Louise ski area. It was triggered in a cross loaded, shallow feature and ran on a basal layer.

On Jan 17th, Marmot Basin Ski Patrol remote triggered a size 3.5 outside of the ski area that ran on a basal layer.

Snowpack Summary

The surface hoar and facets that were developing at the surface have now been buried under 5-15 cm of low density snow and may form a weak layer in the snowpack. The snowpack below is dense and supportive, but is weakest between 0 and 30 cm above the ground with the presence of more developed facets and potentially depth hoar.

Weather Summary

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -7 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15-30 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

Problems

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.