A special public avalanche warning was issued for recreational backcountry users across the central Rockies.
The warning applies to Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, and Jasper National Parks, Kananaskis Country, and areas immediately adjacent to those parks.
It is in effect immediately and remains in place through Monday, March 24.
Recent storm snow overlies a weak snowpack structure and has produced numerous very large avalanches over the last two weeks.
Avalanches triggered on this layer have propagated widely, even through forested areas, and may involve the entire depth of the snowpack.
There have been several serious avalanche incidents in this time, including two fatal incidents, and the snowpack is dangerous and unpredictable.
Avalanches may also be triggered remotely, meaning they could be initiated from a distance.
Warming, sun, and stormy weather will all increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche.
“While natural avalanche activity is beginning to taper off, the snowpack remains primed for human-triggering,” said Stephen Holeczi, visitor safety specialist at Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.
“This is an unstable and highly volatile situation,” Holeczi cautioned. “Weak layers are buried under up to 90 cm of storm snow, and more snow expected by the weekend will add to slabs over those weak layers.”
Holeczi added the complex snowpack in the central Rockies continues to demand caution, conservative decision-making, and careful terrain choices.
It is important that backcountry recreationists remain alert to the dangerous avalanche conditions and don’t become complacent as the natural avalanche activity declines.
It is essential to choose low-angle terrain without overhead hazard or terrain traps.
Avalanches on this layer may run far and release unpredictably, and slopes with tracks on them should not be considered safe.
To reduce risk, Avalanche Canada, Parks Canada, and Alberta Parks recommend:
- Sticking to lower-angle slopes (less than 30 degrees).
- Avoiding terrain with exposure to overhead hazard, terrain traps, or runout zones.
- Avoiding avalanche terrain.
- Avoiding sun-exposed slopes during warm and/or sunny conditions.
“With a special public avalanche warning in effect for Kananaskis Country, we want to make sure anyone heading to the mountains exercise extreme caution,” said Todd Loewen, Alberta Minister of Forestry and Parks. “All backcountry users should educate themselves on avalanche terrain, avalanche safety equipment and companion rescue, and stay up to date on advisories and warnings in the area.”
“Taking the time to fully prepare yourself and avoid dangerous avalanche conditions will help keep you and those around you safe.”
Backcountry users should always check the avalanche forecast at www.avalanche.ca.
Everyone in a backcountry group must carry essential rescue gear — an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel — and have the training to use it.
