Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 31st, 2025–Jan 1st, 2026

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Avalanche hazard is slowly decreasing, but human triggering is still very possible at upper elevations, especially in steep and unsupported terrain. It's not yet time to ride the big lines.

Happy New Year!!!

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Isolated small wind slabs (size 1) were observed in very steep Alpine terrain. One size 2 on a steep East aspect in the Alpine initiated immediately below a cliff band. This fracture was 60 to 80cm deep and approximately 150m wide, but did not run very far.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are widespread in the Alpine and open areas at treeline. Natural avalanche activity has tapered and the snowpack is slowly stabilizing. However, many areas still seem prime for human-triggering. Sheltered areas still have great skiing. Solar aspects may have some moist snow. The Nov crust layers are buried 120 to 180cm and are beginning to facet. Some avalanches have stepped down to the Nov crust, but this has been more common in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday looks to be mostly sunny with increasing cloud later in the day. Temps will reach a high of -3C and winds should be light to moderate from the SW. No snowfall is expected.

https://hpfx.collab.science.gc.ca/~fsg006/productviewer/ab/table/AB_Rockies_Forecast.html

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger 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.