Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 29th, 2024–Dec 30th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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.

Deep persistent slabs remain the primary avalanche concern.

While seeking good turns, be mindful of the thick to thin transitions within the snowpack where this layer is more likely to be triggered.

Good skiing can still be found in sheltered locations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There was a size 1, and a size 2 wind slab observed on different features of Parkers ridge on December 27th.

Outside the park there have been recent reports of explosive results on the early season crusts producing avalanches up to size 2.5

Snowpack Summary

Sheltered locations may still hold 15cm of soft snow. In protected areas, a weak layer of Surface Hoar or melt freeze crust may be 10-30cm down. The mid pack is mostly made up of facets. At the bottom of the snowpack there are multiple early season crusts with facets above and below.

Weather Summary

MondayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -8 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -12 °C. Ridge wind west: 10 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -13 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

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.

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.