Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 19 – 20, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 months ago

Avalanche danger

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

Highlights

Sunshine will continue with little change to skiing conditions. Look for preserved powder in sheltered terrain.

Don’t get complacent with the deep persistent slab - it remains a low-probability, high-consequence problem. Be cautious in areas with thinner snowpacks or where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    This problem is low probability - high consequence! Be cautious where the snowpack transitions from thick areas to thin areas. A recent size 3 avalanche has 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 the fact that deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Lingering windslabs from earlier in the week may still exist in isolated alpine features.

A size 3 deep persistent slab was triggered in terrain adjacent to the ski hill on Friday. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered, the deep persistent slab remains a low-probability, high-consequence problem.

Maligne Road Patrol on Saturday observed several solar triggered avalanches up to size 1.5

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds earlier this week created firm, wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain at all elevations, while softer snow remains in sheltered areas. Sun-exposed slopes host variable crusts, especially on steep aspects.

The snowpack is deeper in the Icefields and more shallow & weak in the Maligne area.

The deep persistent slab remains a concern, particularly in thin areas or with large triggers like cornice falls.

Weather Summary

Monday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: High -3 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing levels vary from valley bottom up to 1900m.

Tuesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -6 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: Low -18 °C, High -6 °C. Ridge wind northwest: 10-25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered