Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 15 – 16, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Cooler temperatures are expected for Thursday, but remain cautious of steep sun exposed slopes, and reactive wind slabs at tree line and above.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds from the SW continue to build reactive wind slabs at tree line and above.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Temperatures are cooling for a Thursday, but be mindful steep slopes in direct sun could still produce consequential avalanches.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Be cautious where the snowpack transitions from thick areas to thin areas. Recent avalanches up to size 3.5 have been observed on this layer. This problem encompasses multiple weak layers of facets, crusts, and basal facets from November and December.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

Wind slabs and loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were produced from avalanche control along the Icefields Parkway on Tuesday.

A size 3.5 deep persistent slab triggered by a large cornice failure was observed on Saturday in the icefields area, and a size 2 deep persistent slab was observed from the ski hill in the adjacent backcountry on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is undergoing a significant transition. Strong winds have created reactive wind slabs at ridgetop, while at tree line and below, the snowpack is warming significantly, increasing the likelihood of loose wet avalanches in the region. The basal facet deep persistent problem remains a concern, particularly in thin snowpack areas, or under large triggers like cornice falls.

Weather Summary

Thursday

Sunny

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -6 °C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 55 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday

Sunny

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -4 °C.

Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.

Freezing level: 2700 metres.

Saturday

Sunny

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -4 °C, High -1 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Freezing level: 3100 metres.

Strong alpine temperature inversion.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

Regions covered