Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 16 – 17, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired last year

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Still good skiing on sheltered northerly aspects. Despite the cool and cloudy forecast it's still a good plan to start your trip early and plan to be back at the trailhead before the daytime heating and/or solar radiation effects the snowpack. Check out Avalanche Canada's blog on Spring Conditions for some good tips.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slab were observed on all aspects in the alpine. These may be more sensitive to triggering where the underlying crust is prominent.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Watch for sheltered northern areas where this layer may still exist. If triggered slabs could step down into the basal layers.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Loose wet avalanches are not likely on Thursday given the cloudy and cool forecast, but be mindful that at this time of year any short bursts of solar radiation could be enough to trigger slides.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No field team today. No avalanches reported or observed.

Snowpack Summary

A few cm's of new snow fell Tuesday morning. Wind slabs are evident in the alpine on all aspects. While these slabs are not deep, they could be sensitive to triggering where the underlying surface is a smooth crust. Otherwise, expect a melt-freeze surface layer (or near surface) on all solar aspects as well as all aspects at lower elevations. Higher elevation northerly aspects still hold dry snow. Cornices are starting to sag in the mid-April heat, and some recent collapses have been observed.

Weather Summary

Thursday is expected to be mainly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow. Temps will remain below freezing with daytime high of -2C expected and freezing levels at 1900m. Winds will be moderate from the North at ridgetop.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.

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