Banff Yoho Kootenay

Summer has arrived and the days are hot. Trails up to treeline are mostly melted dry, but check the trail report for current conditions. Snowy, spring-like conditions remain in the alpine, which is good for glacier coverage but challenging for avalanches. Pay attention to the overnight freeze and get down from the mountains early.

Avalanche hazard will remain in the alpine (>3000m) for July. Daily avalanche activity can range from minimal on cold, frozen days, to wet loose avalanches as it warms, to full-depth wet slabs when freezing levels are very high and/or it rains.

A new Facebook group has been started by ACMG members with excellent reporting on summer alpine conditions.

Summer has finally arrived in early July and most hiking trails to the treeline and the low alpine are melted dry, except north-facing slopes. The cold and wet spring has put us several weeks behind normal and as of July 9, alpine lakes are still frozen and a snowpack exists in the alpine. This will change rapidly in the coming weeks as the high alpine completes its transition to summer. Avalanche hazard will depend on whether the snow freezes overnight, and how hot the day gets.

For current weather conditions, see the telemetry stations on the Avalanche Canada map page.

For weather forecasts, check out Environment Canada's products for Banff, Kootenay and Yoho.

For weather maps, graphics and satellite images check out the Mountain Weather Forecast.

For a technical weather forecast check out SpotWx