Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 7 – 8, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It's April and the sun is strong! Start early and finish early, especially if your trip involves exposure to solar aspects.

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
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The strong April sun will quickly destabilize solar aspects when the sun is out.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported or observed today.

Snowpack Summary

Between 5 and 10cm of new snow has fallen in the past 24hrs. This overlies a crust on polar aspects up to 2350m and to ridgetop on solar aspects. Snow transport was observed today at mountaintop, so we expect wind slab development is on-going in lee and cross-loaded features at upper elevations.

The March 24th crust interface has significant faceting above the crust. This layer is buried 40cm at TL and is producing variable test results from moderate to hard.

The bears are awake! Tracks have been observed in the snow. Time to pack the sun hat, skin wax and bear spray!

Weather Summary

Wednesday will be mostly sunny with temps climbing from -10C in the morning to -1C in the afternoon. Winds will be light from the West. No precipitation is expected and freezing levels should reach 2000m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • 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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