Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 21 – 22, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 2 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Natural avalanche activity is still being observed and human triggering of avalanches remains likely. Make conservative terrain choices by sticking to low angle terrain well away from steeper slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    If triggered, expect to initiate lower weaker persistent layers creating a large avalanche.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    This avalanche problem is associated with a weak facet and crust layer buried at the end of January approximately 70cm down in sheltered areas. This includes a crust layer formed in early March below the recent storm snow which is prominent on solar aspects.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Well developed facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snow pack can produce large avalanches. Several big avalanches released during and immediately after the March 7th storm. Be suspicious of any slopes that have not released naturally.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.

Weather Summary

Friday evening: Clear periods. Alpine temp low of -14 °C. Ridge wind west: 10-30 km/h.Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace of snow. Alpine temperature: High -8 °C. Ridge wind west: 15-30 km/h.

Sunday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There has been a widespread natural avalanche cycle over the last 1-2 weeks that is expected to continue.

Five natural avalanches, size 1.5 to 2, were observed March 19-20, mostly at tree line and below. There have been a number of other natural avalanches, as well as skier remotes, in the Banff forecast region.

Marmot Basin Ski Hill has seen significant results from recent explosive control work, including deep persistent slab avalanches from size 2 to 3.5 (March 18/19).

Regions covered