Kananaskis

Happy Easter!  The recent snow and winds have built new windslabs in alpine areas.  Solar radiation is forecast to be strong Sunday and Monday so early starts are critical.

The remainder of the easter weekend is looking clear and warm with no new precip forecast.  Early starts are key right now and people should be paying close attention to aspects they are on or under as temperatures warm up. 

Loose wet avalanches up to sz 2 have been observed over the past few days on all aspects below treeline.  Some loose wet have also triggered wet slabs on the underlying slopes.  This is largely due to poor quality of overnight freezes and periods of light rain. 

Snow and strong winds over the past week are keeping windslabs 30-40cm thick a problem in alpine areas.  At treeline and below, the snowpack is generally a moist spring snowpack with its strength largely dependent upon aspect, quality of overnight freeze, day time temperature and issues associated with rapid loading from rain and or new snow.  Place close attention to all of these key aspects when making your a decision and remember, you can always back off and come back another day...or season.  Best skiing is being found on sheltered north aspects where the snowpack is still dry.