Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2026–Jan 21st, 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.

Don’t be complacent with the deep persistent slab as it's difficult to predict. It remains a low-probability, high-consequence problem. Be cautious in thin and variable snow depth spots, overhead slopes and large cornices. Assess slopes thoroughly before launching.

Confidence

High

Uncertainty is due to the fact that deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol on Monday or Tuesday and nothing reported. Sunday's field team in the Nigel area reported no new naturals. A size 3 deep persistent slab was triggered in terrain adjacent to the ski hill on Friday. Maligne Road Patrol on Saturday observed several solar triggered avalanches up to size 1.5

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar has been forming overnight and observations found it at 2700m and likely higher. Otherwise, the surface is firm and wind impacted from previous winds. Soft snow remains in sheltered areas. Solar slopes host variable crusts, especially on steep aspects. The snowpack is generally deeper in the Icefields and shallower at Maligne lake.

Weather Summary

Wednesday to Friday will be mostly sun, average temperature of -12 °C, and light North to calm winds. Saturday might warm up slightly to -4 °C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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.