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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2025–Dec 23rd, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 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, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

The conditions demand careful decision-making and respect for the terrain. If you’re heading out, avoid overhead exposure and keep objectives simple—this is big mountain snow with significant consequences. Natural activity is tapering off, but there is real potential for human triggering.

Refer to 511 Alberta for road updates

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

The latest road Patrol on Dec 22 had much better visibility; we still have very limited observations, especially in the alpine. A recent large avalanche (size 3) was observed on Parkers Ridge on a typical lee feature. Likely initiated by building windslab, but it is very deep in the storm snow.

December 19th Avalanche control on Highway 93N produced numerous avalanches up to size 4. Very impressive and very destructive.

Snowpack Summary

The Icefields have been absolutely hammered, with ~160 cm of new snow in this recent cycle. With the new snow comes serious complexity: moderate to strong winds have been actively loading lee slopes, triggering large avalanches across the region—some paths have even cycled and reloaded.  At TL, sheltered areas are holding up to 2m of snow, and recent profiles at treeline and below in Parkers Ridge show significant layering, though no alarming results from tests.

Weather Summary

Overnight: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Temperature: Low -12 °C. Light wind, south.

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. No Precipitation. Temperature: High -11 °C. Light ridge wind.

Wednesday: Flurries. Accumulation: 7 cm. Temperature: Low -11 °C, High -3 °C. Ridge wind south: 10 km/h.

Wednesday

Overnight: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Temperature: Low -12 °C. Light wind, south.

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. No Precipitation. Temperature: High -11 °C. Light ridge wind.

Wednesday: Flurries. Accumulation: 7 cm. Temperature: Low -11 °C, High -3 °C. Ridge wind south: 10 km/h.

Thursday

Overnight: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Temperature: Low -12 °C. Light wind, south.

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. No Precipitation. Temperature: High -11 °C. Light ridge wind.

Wednesday: Flurries. Accumulation: 7 cm. Temperature: Low -11 °C, High -3 °C. Ridge wind south: 10 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.