Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2025–Dec 10th, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

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 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.

Regions

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

More snow and strong winds is expected.This will elevate the Hazard to HIGH. Careful routefinding is necessary to stay out of avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

-2 loose dry avalanches, size 1 on an East aspect(lee features) were seen in the Highwood area.

-1 size 2 avalanche was reported off of Ribbon Peak on an East face.

Snowpack Summary

Monday night's storm brought us 10-15cm of snow with wind effect in the alpine and parts of treeline. This new wind slab produced easy test results at the interface. The Nov rain crust has started to facet and can be found 40-50cm down. When the forecasters left the field on Tuesday, they felt that the Alpine is rated at Considerable, given the reactivity of the new wind slab and the cakey(medium density) feel of the upper snowpack. If we do get 15-25cm of snow on Wednesday with strong winds, the Hazard will go up to HIGH.

Weather Summary

Another storm is expected to start early Wednesday morning dumping 15-25cm of snow by Wednesday night. This storm will come in with 50-80km/hr winds from the West/SW. Temperatures in the alpine will rise to -3c.

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 snowfall.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs 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.