Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 8 – 9, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 5 months ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Warmer weather is coming! Hopefully we can squeeze in one more day of cool weather tomorrow before we set into a pattern of sun/heat induced afternoon snowpack deterioration. Be sure to keep an eye on changing conditions, snow changes very quickly with intense sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Be alert of possible new thin wind slabs on the surface. In many areas these slabs will overlie a crust, possibly giving a poor bond.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Repeated warming/cooling cycles are helping stabilize these layers. Continue to watch steep polar aspects where the warming cycles are fewer and less intense.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The strong April sun will destabilize solar aspects, especially around steep, rocky areas.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of warming will affect the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported or observed today.

Snowpack Summary

Crusts are the prominent layers in our changing snowpack. Thick, supportive surface crusts are up to 2500m and most aspects except true polar. Even polar aspects have crusts up to about 2200m. Beneath that are various other crusts that are helping hold it all together. With that said, the Mar 24 layer/interface is still evident and a potential failure plain on steep, high north country. Don't rule it out just yet.

The surface crust didn't start to break down until 2pm today, so travel conditions are still pretty good and will hopefully remain that way for tomorrow.

Weather Summary

Beautiful day in store for tomorrow. Clear skies, morning low of -15°, daytime high of 0° and light winds at all elevations. Freezing level 2200m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.

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