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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 2nd, 2026–Jan 3rd, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Forecasts vary for Saturday's snow and wind values (see weather summary). If more snow falls than expected, the local alpine hazard may increase to considerable.

There is still good skiing in sheltered areas.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.
  • Uncertainty is due to the fact that deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise and Sunshine ski hills did some explosive control on Friday. They mainly got no result or size 1 wind slabs. Sunshine did get a remote size 2.5 to ground, which started 70m below where the explosion initiated. No other avalanches were reported in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Previous winds have developed windslabs in lee alpine features. Surface snow has some surface hoar development, lingering suncrust on steep solar aspects, and 10-20cm settled snow in sheltered areas.

There is 40-80 cm over the Dec 15 melt-freeze crust (which is present to 1800-2000 m), 80-160 cm over the November facet/crust interfaces, and, in thinner snowpack areas, facets at the base.

Treeline snow depths range from 100-200+ cm.

Weather Summary

Fri Night: Models vary, but in general 30-40kmh SW winds with no snow.

Saturday: 30-50kmh winds and trace to 10cm depending on the forecast. Treeline temps rising to -4C

Sunday: Moderate winds, trace to 5cm of snow, and treeline temps around -5C.

Link to the weather forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.

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.