Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 13 – 16, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

High uncertainty regarding the height of freezing levels for Wednesday. Avalanche danger may be higher if there is a minimal freeze overnight. If the sun comes out, expect stability to decrease quickly on solar aspects. Skiing is challenging up to 2300m in moist snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Some new snow, warm temps and constant winds are creating new sensitive wind slabs

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Loose wet avalanches in steeper below treeline areas. If the sun comes out, watch for this problem at higher elevations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Thin areas are locations where it is more likely to trigger this weakness.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to rapidly fluctuating freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet avalanches up to sz 1 were observed up to treeline elevations on tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

The 15cm that fell over the past few days is settling rapidly with the warm temperatures. Moist snow was found up to 2300m and above this elevation, winds were creating windslabs 20-30cm thick in open areas and on lee features. Below 2100m a layer of surface hoar is down 50cm that may be a concern in isolated steep below treeline areas.

Overall the snowpack is settling with the warm temps which will benefit us in the long term. For now though, the quality of the freeze overnight and the freezing level on Wednesday will play a big influence on stability. Keep this in mind as you travel.

Weather Summary

Freezing levels are the big question for Wednesday with some models calling for 3000m and some calling for 1900m. Lots of uncertainty with these levels.

No new snow is forecast for the next few days and winds are forecast to continue to be moderate to strong out of the SW.

The big thing to pay attention to is temperatures.

https://hpfx.collab.science.gc.ca/~fsg006/productviewer/ab/table/AB_Rockies_Forecast.html

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered