Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 9 – 10, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

It’s been a windy week and newly formed wind slabs are reactive. Seek out sheltered areas for the best skiing and riding.

Keep in mind the deep persistent weak layer in thin, rocky terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds from various directions has created winds slabs across the region at ridgetop and in lee features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4

    Be cautious where the snowpack transitions from thick areas to thin areas. Recent avalanches up to size 3 have been observed on this layer. This problem encompasses multiple weak layers of facets, crusts, and basal facets from November and December.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Natural deep persistent avalanches have been occurring periodically in shallow rocky areas.

Most recently, a natural 2.5 deep persistent avalanche was observed at Opal Hills on January 8th and one other nearby.

On the Icefields parkway a natural triggered size 2.5 deep persistent avalanche was observed on Mt. Morden Long on Jan 4 and one 2.5 at Parkers Ridge, likely triggered by cornice fall.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds continue to redistributed snow into windslabs in alpine and open treeline areas. The midpack is supportive and sits above 40-60 cm of faceted snow that makes up the lower snowpack. Basal facets and an early season melt freeze crust are located ~30cm off of the ground and remain active as a weak layer in the snowpack.

Average snow depth in the Icefields Parkway area is 140-200cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 100cm.

Weather Summary

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries (trace). Alpine temperature: High -9 °C. Westerly ridge winds 20-40 km/h.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurrie (trace). Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -9 °C. Southwest ridge winds 20 km/h.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries (4 cm). Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -9 °C. Southwest ridge winds 15 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Regions covered