Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 25 – 28, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The snowpack depths at all elevations have doubled in the last week, accompanied by strong winds. Snow has been redistributed, use caution in wind loaded terrain.

Below treeline is still thin in places, with early season hazards like stumps, logs, and rocks.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    In more sheltered areas, storm snow may behave as dry loose.

Confidence

Low

  • Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed. However, observations are limited.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong southwesterly winds is expected by Saturday evening. This falls over 80 cm of rapidly settling snow from recent storms. Under the storm snow, sits a mid December crust. The lowest snowpack layers are generally a series of melt forms to the ground, with the exception of above 1700m where the mid-November crust/facet layer can still be found in select areas.

Weather Summary

Thurs

Scattered flurries. Up to 5 cm of snow. Light to strong SW winds. Alpine H -2°C. Freezing level 1700m.

Fri

Flurries. Up to 9 cm of snow. Light to strong SW winds. Alpine L -6°C and H -3°C. Freezing level 1600m.

Sat

Flurries. Up to 13 cm of snow. Light to strong SW winds. Alpine L -24°C and H -3°C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Current weather forecast: Mountain Weather Forecast

Current ECC weather table: Here

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Regions covered