It's the beginning of spring, which brings warm weather and sunshine along with it.
But, with that sunshine and warmth, comes an increased risk of avalanches.
Avalanche Canada has put the risk of avalanche in the Rockies at a considerable risk of avalanche from Canmore to the American border.
Natural avalanches are still occurring in this area, and Avalanche Canada is keeping that area at an elevated risk of avalanches for the foreseeable future.
In that region, there is some fresh snow that is resting on a problematic persistent slab, and some fresh wind slabs in the alpine portion of the mountains were building this week, and the top half of the snowpack is a 40 to 80 cm dense slab sitting on top of 40 to 80 cm of depth of hoar and facet snow.
Those two slabs interacting with one another has produced repeatable sudden collapse test results, and is what is causing the big avalanches in the area.
According to Avalanche Canada, the region will be in this pattern for the foreseeable future,
In the region west of Pincher Creek, southwest winds have formed slabs that could be triggered by human activity, so it is advised to avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where it is more likely to trigger the slabs to create an avalanche.
For those who want to head out to Banff National Park to get in some hiking, there is a high risk of avalanches occurring, and human-triggered avalanches remain very likely.
Avalanche Canada had issued a warning for Banff National Park, saying "We are in a dangerous time for decision-making: the danger is less obvious, people want to ski, and the weather is nice. Manage your desires carefully."
If you are in the area, it is being advised to make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazards.
Remote triggering is still a big concern, so be aware of the potential for wide propagations (the spreading of a fracture in the snowpack) and large avalanches at all elevations.
Last weekend, two avalanches in the Rockies claimed two lives.
To stay up to date on avalanche risks before heading hiking, click here.