A special public avalanche warning is in effect for the Central Rockies through Monday, March 24, as dangerous snow conditions persist following two fatal avalanches last weekend.
The warning applies to Banff, Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper national parks, as well as Kananaskis Country. Avalanche Canada warns that similar conditions may also exist in adjacent areas.
Recent storm snow has overloaded a weak snowpack, triggering numerous very large avalanches over the past two weeks. Some of these slides have propagated widely, even through forested terrain, and have run full depth.
While natural avalanche activity is tapering off, the snowpack remains highly unstable and primed for human-triggering. Officials warn that slides may be triggered remotely, meaning they could release from a distance. Warming temperatures, sunshine and stormy weather will further increase the likelihood of avalanches in the coming days.
Weak layers—primarily faceted snow—are buried under up to 90 cm of recent storm snow, with another 15 cm expected by the weekend. This will add to existing slabs, keeping the snowpack unstable and highly reactive.
Extreme Caution Urged Ahead of the Weekend
Backcountry users are urged to remain vigilant and not become complacent despite the decline in natural avalanche activity. Officials stress the importance of choosing low-angle terrain with no overhead hazards or terrain traps. Tracks on a slope do not indicate safety, as avalanches on this weak layer may run far and release unpredictably.
The warning follows a deadly weekend in Alberta’s mountain parks, where two skiers were killed in separate avalanches on March 14—one near Lake Louise and the other in Kananaskis Country.
Lake Louise Avalanche
Last week, Avalanche Canada reported that two skiers had completed a run in Pipestone Bowl, a popular backcountry area outside Lake Louise Ski Resort, and were skinning back to the resort when they triggered an avalanche from steeper terrain above them.
The size 2.5 slide carried one skier 50 metres downslope and buried him between 150 and 200 cm deep. His partner located him using a transceiver, dug him out and began first aid while calling 911.
Parks Canada Visitor Safety teams responded and evacuated the skier to emergency medical services, but he did not survive.
Kananaskis Country Avalanche
That same day, a second fatal avalanche struck a backcountry area off Highway 742 near Mount Black Prince in Kananaskis Country.
RCMP said a group of four skiers was in the area when an avalanche hit, carrying a 34-year-old Calgary woman downslope and burying her. The group activated an SOS beacon and attempted to locate and resuscitate her, but she was declared deceased when Kananaskis Mountain Rescue and emergency crews arrived.
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