Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2025–Dec 20th, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

Heavy recent snowfall and strong winds along the Icefields Parkway have created significant wind loading and produced large avalanches.

Avoid overhead hazard and consider staying out of avalanche terrain until the snowpack adjusts.

Highway 93 will remain closed for December 20th - Check 511 alberta for updates.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Highway 93N produced numerous avalanches up to size 4 running fast, far and very destructive.

Natural avalanches up to size 4 have been reported along the closed section of highway 93N in the last 48 hours. Natural activity is expected to continue with snow and wind forecasted to continue.

Snowpack Summary

Continuous snow since December 14th has accumulated to up to 110cm in the Parker's area. Strong to extreme winds have significantly loaded lee features. The height of snow is up to 140-180 cm in wind protected areas for this zone. Snow depth is up to 100 cm in the Maligne area. Weaker facet layers are now buried deep within the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday

5-10cm precip. Alpine temperature: High -11 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15-30 km/h.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 5 to 10cm of precip. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -10 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10-30 km/h.

Monday

Another expected 5-10cm of precip. Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -10 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence 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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.