Check 511 for Icefields Parkway updates. The snowpack needs time to settle, and lingering reactivity plus 15–20 cm by Wednesday morning will keep the hazard elevated.
Careful route choices, solid group management, and healthy skepticism in steep terrain will support safe travel this week.
A new wind slab is forming as moderate winds redistribute the previous storm snow, with as much as 40 cm available for transport and deposition. This new load is accumulating over an untested crust, creating a highly unstable structure.
The Icefields have received 100+ cm of recent snow, which has produced a large‑scale natural avalanche cycle. Any slope that has not released naturally should be regarded as highly susceptible to triggering; the consequences of which would be severe.
The road was opened on March 24th from Jasper to Parkers Ridge. Further avalanche control is scheduled on the Parkway for Wednesday.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle produced numerous, massive avalanches following the storm that occurred from March 15 to 21.
The Icefield's alpine has received 50-100 cm of new snow, with a further 10-15cm expected by Wednesday morning. Maligne has received 20-30 cm. A temperature and rain crust has formed below treeline and exists up to 2100 m. A persistent weak layer of old surface hoar and facets is buried 50-150 cm. The midpack is generally well consolidated with facets near the ground. Average snow depths for the Icefields are 150-220 cm, and Maligne is 60-140 cm.
Overnight: Flurries. 8 cm. Temperature: Low -8 °C. Wind southwest: 30 km/h gusting to 80 km/h.
Wednesday: Flurries. 7 cm. Temperature: High -8 °C. Wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.
Thursday: Flurries. 6 cm. Temperature: Low -14 °C, High -11 °C. Wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.
Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace. Temperature: Low -14 °C, High -7 °C. Light wind, gusting to 45 km/h.
