Before heading out to the mountains this week, check on the avalanche risk in the area.
Even though the Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW) issued last week is no longer in effect in the Rockies, there is still a high risk of avalanches.
According to Avalanche Canada, while the SPAW is no longer in effect, "This by no way means that things are better out there!"
The area from Mount Rundle to the south of Mist Mountain still has very dangerous avalanche conditions, and travelling in the avalanche terrain is not recommended.
The region is currently experiencing high freezing levels, which is the altitude at which the temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius, and minimal to no overnight recovery, which has caused the avalanche danger rating to be set to high as they test the fragile snowpack.
It's advised to watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs in wind-affected terrain, avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, and be aware that human-triggered avalanches may persist, even as naturally occurring avalanches taper off for the summer.
The area has been observed as having moist snow, and there was a fresh melt-freeze crust this morning (March 26) up to 2400m in elevation.
This crust would have broken down quickly this morning with the upper snowpack will becoming moist again, and while the upper snowpack continues to settle, bond, and strengthen with warmer temperatures and intermittent snow, it is advised not to forget the structure in which the new snow is sitting on.
In the region from Mount Joffre to the American border, there is also a high risk of avalanches.
Rising temperatures in the region and the sun are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions, and it is being advised to avoid avalanche terrain in the area.
In this region, Avalanche Canada is advising people to be aware of the potential for large avalanches, thanks to buried weak layers, and the risk of persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
It's being advised to avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, as avalanches may run further than expected, and Avalanche Canada suggests sticking to the simplest non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard.
Avalanche Canada is confident the likelihood of an avalanche occurring in this region will only increase with the arrival of the snow that is being called for tonight.
Before heading out to the mountains, click here to determine where is safe to hike away from avalanches.