Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 12 – 15, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The storm forecast for Saturday day will now arrive Saturday evening. 10-15cm of new snow with light winds. If the sun comes out on Sunday, watch for stability deteriorating on solar aspects due to the solar radiation. Dry snow still being found on high north aspects but widespread crusts in most other locations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent winds and snow will increase wind slab development in the Alpine.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Watch for sheltered northern areas where this layer may still exist.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Loose dry avalanches running on a crust may travel surprisingly far if snow amounts are as forecast.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed in the past 24hrs.

Snowpack Summary

Expect windslabs along ridgelines on all aspects. Where the new windslabs are overlying a temperature crust from last week be sure to carefully evaluable to the bond with the underlying layers. On northern aspects the interface will be more of a storm snow interface down 20-40cm. With the new snow arriving Saturday evening be sure to evaluate the bond with the underlying snow surface. Where the new snow is overlying a thick MFC it will likely be more reactive so keep this in the forefront of your mind. Windslabs developed during this week will also be harder to locate so ensure you are feeling/evaluating these weakness as you travel.

Weather Summary

The storm forecat for today has been pushed back to tonight with 10-15cm forecast with light winds. By 9am Sunday the storm will be wrapping up with skies clearing, and temps around -3. The freezing level is forecast to be around 1800m.

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.

Regions covered