Avalanche Danger is High, Time to Start Checking the Forecast
The Canadian Rockies are getting a lot of snow and people are advised to avoid the backcountry
The snow is falling in many of Canada’s mountain ranges as the rain pours in the valleys. Ice climbers have been struggling with poor early season conditions in the Canadian Rockies, as skiers have been celebrating powdery slopes.
A system from the Pacific that’s made its way inland has prompted Avalanche Canada to issue bulletins for parts of the Rockies. The bulletins pertain to Kananaskis, Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho national parks. Avalanche Canada is forecasting Level 4, or very dangerous avalanche conditions, for those areas.
“An intense weather system arrives early Sunday morning with forecast snow amounts ranging from 15 to 40-plus cm depending on the weather model and strong to extreme west winds,” Avalanche Canada said in the bulletin.
“Another strong pulse of snow is forecast for Monday. Freezing levels will hover around 1,900 metres until things start to cool off on Tuesday morning. As the new snow and wind arrives, wind slabs will be forming rapidly over the next couple of days and natural and human triggered avalanches will be very likely in steep loaded terrain,” Avalanche Canada said. “Watch for overhead hazard as cornice failures are also likely.”
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended in these conditions. Ice climbers should read why they should carry avalanche gear here, and climbers and skiers should start checking the Avalanche Canada bulletins before heading out. Don’t head into the backcountry without taking a course about understanding avalanche terrain.