Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Dec 29 – 30, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Enjoy the sunshine and powder!

Seek out good riding in sheltered terrain with no wind effect

Be mindful that deep instabilities still exist in the snowpack

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong westerly winds have built wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations. Carefully assess steep areas for potential slabs before committing.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3.5

    A deep persistent weak layer consisting of weak facets over a crust, remains a concern. The probability of triggering this layer is low, but with high consequences.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but observations are extremely limited in the region.

On Dec 21, large, naturally triggered slab avalanches occurred in the North Crowsnest area. These failed on a deep persistent weak layer down 1-2 m, and some stepped down to the ground.

Check out this MIN from our field team.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, strong westerly winds have blown recent snow into wind slabs in leeward areas.

20 to 35 cm of settling storm snow overlies a rain crust from Dec 24th that reached up to treeline elevations in some areas.

A deep persistent weak layer consisting of a prominent crust, with 10 cm of facets on top, is buried 130 to 180 cm deep in terrain above 1800 m. Triggering this layer could have very severe consequences.

Check out this great MIN post from the Crowsnest on recent conditions there.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Monday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, inversion forming with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

Wednesday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.


More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

Regions covered