Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 16 – 17, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche activity has tapered off thanks to some cooler temperatures, and we expect this to continue for Friday.

Be mindful of recently formed wind slabs and steep sunny aspects if it starts feeling warm.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Previous strong winds from the SW, and now strong winds from the NW continue to build wind slabs at tree line and above.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Avoid being on or below steep terrain that is in the sun.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - 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 difficult to forecast freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday several loose wet avalanches were observed up to size 2, most occurring on steep sun exposed slopes.

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

Strong winds from changing directions (southwest to north west) have created wind slabs at tree line and above. Fluctuating freezing levels have formed moist snow/melt freeze crusts below 2000m and up to ridge top on solar aspects. The basal facet deep persistent problem remains a concern, particularly in thin snowpack areas, or under large triggers like cornice falls.

Weather Summary

Friday

Sunny

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -1 °C.

Ridge wind northwest: 10-25 km/h.

Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -2 °C, High 2 °C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

Freezing level: 2000 metres.

Weak temperature inversion.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -2 °C.

Ridge wind northwest: 10-25 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

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