If you are heading out to the mountains to hike this weekend, make sure to check out which areas are closed due to risk of avalanches.
While the ridge of mountains to the west of us currently has a moderate risk of avalanches occurring, there are a few areas that are closed in Kananaskis Country, due to avalanche control.
As part of the avalanche control work, crews will be using explosives to trigger avalanches, causing them to close down the areas they are working in to help keep people safe.
Mount Rae, the Highwood Pass, Mount Murray, Buller Corner, Three Sisters, and more are currently closed for avalanche control.
In many areas of Kananaskis Country, human-triggered avalanches are still possible, thanks to the generally weak snowpack.
In K-Country, there is between 5 and 10 cm of settled snow that is sitting on the surface, and some of the snow could become moist starting in the late morning.
Their main concern is the persistent slab that is 15 to 30 cm thick and is resting on older snow that has a sun crust and other dense layers, which could allow for humans to trigger an avalanche.
This weekend will be quite warm, with temperatures in Okotoks forecasted in the double digits, which could soften the snow even more.
To check out the avalanche closures and risk before heading out hiking, click here.