Waterton Lakes

This is our last planned bulletin this Spring.  Loose Wet, Cornice, and Wet Slab avalanching will continue. These will become increasingly limited to higher elevations into May. See the "Forecast Details" tab. Enjoy your Spring!

Avalanche danger will depend heavily on the weather conditions. Significant rain, solar radiation, or warmth, will weaken the snowpack. If nights are warm and/or cloudy, or we see sustained periods of high temperatures, hazard will be particularly elevated. Cold weather and clear nights may allow good stability and reasonable travel.

A dwindling spring snowpack exists, deepest in the West. Stability depends on the strength of overnight surface freezes, and how wet the snow becomes each day. Wet, punchy snow means elevated danger. Most Below Treeline slopes are dry, but be aware that large avalanches from higher elevations could run to valley floor in Western areas of the park.

Natural Loose Wet and Cornice avalanche activity are ongoing, and are expected during sun, heat or rain. Many slopes now have obvious glide cracks to ground, especially on North and East aspects in the alpine. During the past three days, two very large, natural Wet Slab avalanches failed to ground (glide) on two such slopes.