Kananaskis

The snowpack this year is still generally weak and will not improve anytime soon. Travel in the backcountry is challenging going up or down.

No new avalanches reported.

Right now we basically have 3 layers of concern. The upper half ranges from low density snow below tree line to reasonably stiff wind slabs at tree line and above. The trouble starts with a thin layer that sits almost exactly at the mid pack line. It seems to be a different layer type from area to area, but it is consistently bad. Whether it's surface hoar or facets doesn't really matter. Regardless of the grain, its a touchy layer that is reliably failing with little to no load. The bottom half of the snowpack is a thick layer of facets which also spells trouble. Nobody is really skiing out there because the travel is not great going up or down.

Expect a mostly cloudy day on Friday with flurries starting in the afternoon. Winds will be moderate from the NW with a high of -10c. A few cm of snow expected on Saturday. Colder for Sunday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.