Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 22 – 23, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

A SPAW is in effect for the region.

Surface conditions are hiding a nasty persistent layer that's down about 60cm and guilty of causing many large avalanches. Don't try and outsmart the snowpack, instead avoid avalanche terrain altogether.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    If triggered, these are likely to step down to the persistent slab and then to the basal facets.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    This sits upon weak faceted crystals, sun crust or a dense layer that are perfect for slab avalanches. This layer is not reacting well to new loading, or even re-loading from wind.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Some recent avalanche have stepped down to the basal facets running full path to ground.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Natural activity continued yesterday afternoon with a sizeable 2.5 on the south aspect of CEGNF's peak (aka north peak of Mt. Murray).

Snowpack Summary

Not a lot of positive change in the past day or so. The recent storm snow has continued to settle and become quite stiff, which gives the illusion of improvement. In reality, this stiffening layer is increasing the avalanche hazard by creating wider propagations while potentially increasing the user's comfort with what seems like a stable snowpack. Do not trust the snow! The Jan 30th facet/depth hoar layer is remarkably poor with large grains that are acting as ball bearings. It is down 40-70cm in most areas. Tests on this layer and interface have been oddly consistent with catastrophic failures under moderate loads. In technical terms: compression tests reliably fail in the hard range with sudden collapses in the Jan 30th layer.

Weather Summary

Flurries will continue to blow through the region tonight and tomorrow. They'll offer up only a few centimeters, but enough to keep the snowpack fresh. South west valley bottom winds will be light, but gusty most of the day. Upper level winds will increase as the day goes on. Daytime high of -3 with moments of sunshine from time to time.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered