Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 26th, 2025–Dec 29th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper, Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

New snow and wind has been creating wind slabs at treeline and above.

There have been numerous large avalanches on the deep persistent layers this week. It's a good time to stick to conservative terrain and let the snowpack settle.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Weather station maintenance flight on December 23rd showed a widespread avalanche cycle across the bulletin region at all elevations. Many prone slopes appeared to cycle early in the storm and have since reloaded.

Road patrol on December 25th saw several size 3 avalanches, most notably one being on Hilda Ridge.

Snowpack Summary

About 50 cms of new snow has fallen in the last 5 days. Moderate to strong winds from various directions has redistributing snow and loading lee slopes. The upper snowpack has about 70 cm over a weak facet layer from December 7. A deeper November 10 weak layer remains about 30 cm above or close to the ground. Snow depth is 140-200 cm in the Icefields and ~100 cm at Bald Hills, where the snowpack is weaker and more faceted.

Weather Summary

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -16 °C.

Ridge wind northwest: 15 km/h.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -17 °C, High -12 °C.

Ridge wind west: 30 km/h.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -8 °C.

Ridge wind west: 35 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.