Kananaskis Country Public Safety Section, Alberta Parks
201-800 Railway Avenue T1W-1P1 Canmore, AB, Canada

Looks like we are heading back into winter this weekend with up to 30cm forecast and strong winds on Sunday! Pay close attention to weather forecasts and the local avalanche bulletin.

Storm was a bust, only received 5cm

Loose wet slides have been observed with the recent heat. These are common in solar aspects especially where the snowpack is thin and the ground can heat up quickly with the sun. Be sure to know what’s overhead and in the sun even while you are walking in the shady valley... this report was on the MIN on avalanche Canada’s webpage. Thanks so much to everyone who is sharing and contributing on this page

Recent skier triggered avalanche near Mt Engadine. Likely failed on the Feb 19 layer down 40cm. SE aspect at 2350m. Reported on the MIN on avalanche Canada.

A significant storm is approaching the Kananaskis region with 30-35cm of snow forecast with strong westerly winds and warm temps. Avalanche danger is trending to HIGH. See the weather stations and avalanche bulletin for more details.

The upper evans Thomas area has some fun ice climbing areas such as WD40, Slurpee and more. Good places to go when the avalanche danger is increasing! Both mixes abs pure ice route exist up in the part of the canyon beyond the classics Moonlight and snowline.

Thanks everyone for making 2020 what it was! We had to opportunity to interact with lots of people this year and help a lot of people out. We are hopeful that 2021 will be even better! Plus, it may start off with a storm in the new year also!!! That would be good as lots of areas for skiing and snowshoeing can you a bit of a snow reset... Have a great New Year’s Eve from us and see you in 2021!

Fun to be part of this conference! Wild to see where the people have signed up from all over the world! #alwayslearning It’s still open to sign up!

The entire length of the Spray lakes road is now open! Thanks to the highway crews! Merry Christmas!

Avalanche control is planned for the East end of Rundle and the backside of the third sister at 10am on the 23rd. No skiing or activities in the area at this time. Estimated time of re-opening from highways crews is the evening of the 23rd with moderate confidence. Updates are available on Alberta 511.

It’s avalanche season and that essentially includes anyone who heads out into snow covered mountains this winter. A scramble hike in the summer is very different in the winter. This photo was submitted on the MIN as a good example of hiking terrain and how different it is in winter. Take a course, go with experienced people, hire a guide but don’t go and hope to know when to turn back. This was thankfully a near miss and big kudos for those involved for sharing. This will help lots of people! Keep the good info coming on the Mountain information network on avalanche.ca

Some recent ice conditions (October 31st) around the Kananaskis and Spray Valleys. Lots of snow above routes in the Smith Dorrien and Highwood areas so have avalanche danger forefront in your mind. Kidd Falls recently fell down and Coire dubh is non existent.

Great day with some of our local partners!

On Monday October 19th near the Robertson glacier there was a fatality involving a backcountry skier. Kananaskis Public Safety and Alpine Helicopters responded to the incident around 1430 hr. The incident happened due to the low early season snow coverage and related hazards in very low angle ski terrain wherein his skis bottomed out, and he pitched forward into a rocky area suffering severe trauma. The subject was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. This was... not an avalanche incident. 10-30 cm of snow currently exists at treeline and this does not cover the rocks or any of the ground debris, if you do fall in these areas you will likely get hurt. The chance of hitting something and getting injured is quiet high. The days are getting shorter so be aware of darkness setting in. Once its dark, any evacuation is more complicated. While in the field yesterday forecasters witnessed many loose dry avalanches off steep terrain not running very far but still active, Alpine terrain was getting affected by winds so we suspect slab development to be ongoing in these areas. Consequences of being caught in even a small slid would result in injury due to the lack of snow and the chance of a ride over rocky terrain. Our condolences go out to those involved, Kananaskis Public Safety Team

Snows is falling outside at the moment but the winds have decreased. Check the weather station out weather stations on avalanche.ca for updates on snowfall totals. There is usually a three hour delay at these sites