Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2025–Dec 16th, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

"CONTINUED HIGH AVALANCHE HAZARD"

Given the continued avalanche activity, warm temperature, strong winds and rain to treeline, it is best to stay out of the backcountry.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A fair amount of avalanche activity:

Numerous size 2 avalanches were observed in the Buller area
Several size 1 to 2 wet loosse avalanches were observed on the East end of Rundle
A size 3 avalanches was reported on Sunday that hit the Chester Lake
Several size 2 were observed in the Murray Twins

Snowpack Summary

VERY UNSTABLE SNOWPACK: A surface wind slab 25-40cm thick is sitting on top of a softer layer of decomposed particles and is very reactive to field tests. If this layer is triggered, there is a strong likelyhood that it will step down to the Novmeber crust creating large avalanches. The November crust is down 60-120cm and is becoming more reactive with the additional load. Rain soaked snow can be found up to 2000m and moist snow likely to 2200-2300m.

Weather Summary

Tuesday will bring 5-15cm of snow with cooling temperatures of -7c in the Alpine. The winds are still forecast to blow at a minimum of 65km/hr. The freezing level is expected to drop down to valley bottom.

Outlook for Wednesday and Thursday is more snow and continued cooling.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.