Special public avalanche warning issued for central Rocky Mountain backcountry

CBC News

· Posted: Mar 20, 2025 11:10 PM EDT | Last Updated: 7 minutes ago

A peculiar nationalist avalanche informing has been issued for overmuch of the backcountry successful the cardinal Rocky Mountains.

The informing applies to Banff, Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper nationalist parks, Kananaskis Country, and adjacent areas.

Avalanche Canada, Parks Canada, Alberta Parks and the state of British Columbia issued the alert connected Thursday day and accidental it volition stay successful effect until Monday.

Avalanche Canada says caller snowfall overtop a anemic snowpack has caused aggregate avalanches implicit the past 2 weeks. In abstracted incidents past week, 2 radical died. 

"The snowpack is unsafe and unpredictable," Avalanche Canada said successful a quality release.

"Avalanches whitethorn besides beryllium triggered remotely, meaning they could beryllium initiated from a distance. Warming, sun, and stormy upwind volition each summation the likelihood of triggering an avalanche."

Weak layers of snowfall are buried nether up to 90 cm of tempest snow, and much snowfall expected by the play volition adhd to instability successful the region, according to Stephen Holeczi, visitant information specializer astatine Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks.

"The analyzable snowpack successful the cardinal Rockies continues to request caution, blimpish decision-making and cautious terrain choices," helium said successful a release.

Avalanche Canada, Parks Canada and Alberta Parks recommend backcountry travellers take to traverse slopes less than 30 degrees; debar sun-exposed slopes during lukewarm oregon sunny conditions; and debar terrain with vulnerability to overhead hazard, terrain traps or runout zones.

It is besides recommended that those travelling done the backcountry carry an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel — and person the grooming to usage them.

For much accusation astir the avalanche hazard successful Alberta and B.C., visit Avalanche Canada's website.