Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2026–Jan 11th, 2026

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 possible, human triggered probable.

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

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

Strong winds have formed touchy windslabs in exposed areas in alpine and treeline terrain. Heightened avalanche hazard will continue at all elevations with forecasted warm temperatures, snow and wind

The Icefields Parkway is expected to close Sunday January 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM for avalanche control. Check Alberta 511 for updates

Confidence

Moderate

Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1-2 windslabs were observed in the Parker ridge area on NE aspects at ~2100m. A size 3.5 deep persistent slab triggered by a large cornice failure was observed further south on a NE slope at 2400m running to below treeline. Poor visibility on the Icefields Parkway.

Numerous size 1-1.5 loose wet avalanches were observed in the Maligne Valley near Medicine Lake.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds continue to redistributed snow into reactive windslabs in alpine and open treeline areas. The midpack is supportive and sits above 40-60 cm of faceted snow that makes up the lower snowpack. A weak basal facet layer located ~30cm off of the ground remains active as a weak layer in the snowpack.

Average snow depth in the Icefields Parkway area is 140-200cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 100cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday

Flurries. Accumulation: 8 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.

Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Monday

Snow. Accumulation: 21 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -4 °C, High -2 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Tuesday

Flurries. Accumulation: 10 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -2 °C, High -1 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.

Freezing level: 2100 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

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.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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 Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.