Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2026–Jan 31st, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Small wind slabs from recent wind and snow exist above treeline and the deep persistent problem remains a low‑likelihood but high‑consequence concern.

Skiing is generally rugged, but sheltered slopes with surface faceting offer decent turns. Otherwise, it’s a good time for mountain walks.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported in the region.

Snowpack Summary

Five to 15 cm of new snow sits above a weak layer of surface hoar and facets. This weak layer is more problematic in areas of wind loading. The midpack is dense and supportive in most areas. At the bottom of the snowpack, the weaker, more facetted layer above the ground creates a deep persistent slab.

Weather Summary

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries (trace amounts). Alpine temperature, High -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest (15 km/h). Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

Flurries (6 cm). Alpine temperatures, low -6 °C, high -3 °C. Ridge wind southwest 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Monday

Cloudy with scattered flurries (4 cm). Alpine temperatures, low -6 °C, high -5 °C. Ridge wind west 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

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.