Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2026–Jan 12th, 2026

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Watch for increasing winds on Saturday adding load to the existing windslabs that are being found at treeline and above.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches up to sz 1 were seen from steep terrain on lee aspects.

Snowpack Summary

A trace of snow over the past 24hrs with continued moderate winds out of the west. Recent snow continues to be transported around at treeline and above by strong westerly winds creating windslabs 40-60cm thick in lee features. As you transition into these areas be looking for these problems. These windslabs are overlying a generally well settled snowpack

The deep persistent weakness is buried deep in the snowpack down 150-170cm. This layer was active as recently as last week bring triggered from a thin shallow snowpack area. Always be curious about snowpack depths and be thinking how the snow has been moved around creating thin areas.

Below 2000m a layer of surface hoar is down 40cm and may be a concern as the snowpack settles.

Weather Summary

Saturday will be a mix of sun and cloud with a daytime high around -4C. Winds are again into the strong range out of the west. Its been around 10 days of strong winds out of the west now!

https://hpfx.collab.science.gc.ca/~fsg006/productviewer/ab/table/AB_Rockies_Forecast.html

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.