Kananaskis
Robertson Glacier
Good freeze with a supportive crust the hole way in. Crust started to break down at 1030am. Started down at noon but it was a touch sticky by this time. Every 5 minutes a size 1 to 1.5 wet loose avalanches would come off ridge top from small cornice collapses starting at 930 am on East aspect. Snow held up on the trail for the exit. About 2km of walking on the way out.
wardsbd,
Sunday 25th May, 2025 12:00PM
Grizzly col
Biked to 2150m! Semi supportive in the trees getting over the shoulder. Supportive and decent skiing in the alpine or open terrian. Quite a few cornice triggered slabs to ground on SE aspects over the last few days.
wardsbd,
Friday 9th May, 2025 12:00PM
Rummel pass
Easy skinning up, mostly supportive on the trail and in the alpine. Variable skiing down below the lake do to the melt out. Took my skis off 15 times. Patchy snow all the way down to the highway. Strong Westerly winds all day. A few tiny slabs and wet loose natural avalanches on steep solar today. Tryed to ski down the east side of Rummel pass at 2400m but found breakable crust over isothermic snow so retreated.
wardsbd,
Thursday 8th May, 2025 12:00PM
Rummel pass
Easy skinning up, mostly supportive on the trail and in the alpine. Variable skiing down below the lake do to the melt out. Took my skis off 15 times. Patchy snow all the way down to the highway. Strong Westerly winds all day. A few tiny slabs and wet loose natural avalanches on steep solar today. Tryed to ski down the east side of Rummel pass at 2400m but found breakable crust over isothermic snow so retreated.
wardsbd,
Thursday 8th May, 2025 12:00PM
Weak crust, mushy conditions
Weak crust above mushy snow on French Haig Robertson today. Recent size 2 off the sunny slopes below Robertson, sunny steep terrain was seeing frequent smaller releases.
Travel conditions were ok in the morning, leaving the trail on the exit in the afternoon was a recipe for wallowing.
shaw.bryce,
Saturday 3rd May, 2025 9:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Published: May 2nd, 2025Hogarth Lakes- Outdoor Ed. Program
We stayed away from avalanche terrain. Spring conditions, it would not be the right time of day to be out in avi terrain anyways (too warm and rapid rising temps).
Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre,
Monday 28th April, 2025 2:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 27th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 26th, 2025Skier Triggered 2.5
avalanche.safety,
Saturday 26th April, 2025 1:00PM
Sparrowhawk Summit
Awesome day up on Sparrowhawk. It was mixed snow/dirt from the road up to about 1950 m. After that we were able to skin. Good refreeze which meant ski crampons were very helpful. There was snow to the summit but it’s melting quickly. South facing slopes were getting soft by 10:30 or so.
sierra.casey95,
Friday 25th April, 2025 11:00PM
THE BONK BOYZ
trust our anchors if you dare!
plenty of snow left to spare ;)
yeehawboy,
Friday 25th April, 2025 11:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 24th, 2025FHR
FHR was fun this morning. Good conditions, nice powder on the Robertson Glacier. Ski out was fast.
mark.wizinsky,
Thursday 24th April, 2025 9:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 22nd, 2025Heros Knob
We headed out of the car park around 11am. There was about 10cm of new snow on the way up which was moist to the crust. Crust was supportive to skis and boots.
We saw several small point releases and a couple size 1 wet loose avalanches on south aspect during the acscent, mostly out of the headwall which you can see in the photos. Only entraining the new storm snow.
On the descent of the north aspect there was about 15cm of dry snow on top of a very supportive crust which made for great skiing, started to become moist towards treeline.
tommichaelhay,
Tuesday 22nd April, 2025 10:00AM
Purple Knob
Started up purple knob early, around 8am at the parking lot. Around 3-4 cm fell overnight. Skied mainly on north aspects before heading over the col around 2:30pm, when the sun cut through the clouds resulting in rapid warming up to 10 degrees Celsius as measured by thermometer. Skied down as the snow got heavier, but no avalanches seen or heard (likely because they have already slid in the previous warming cycles). Once back at the car around 4, snow was accumulating rapidly with temps around 0 degrees.
dapadeanu,
Monday 21st April, 2025 8:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs.
Published: Apr 20th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet, Wind Slabs.
Published: Apr 19th, 2025Hero’s Knob
Hero’s Knob loop - actually, pretty good!
No overnight freeze. The flats from the road were still supportive (~1cm ski penetration), and the creek crossing was also in good shape. Cloudy skies with occasional sun breaking through, but never long enough to significantly heat rock/snow. Flurries in the air, minimal accumulation.
Sheltered/north aspects had 5-10cm wet snow on top of a substantially supportive layer. Solar slopes had 1-3cm soft surface on top of the existing surface crust.
Sweet sixteen skied better than expected with soft ~moist snow on sheltered lines, and edge-able on wind blown aspects. Previous wet loose debris littered the skier’s right side but few ski tracks left plenty of space available.
On lower slopes, sluff quickly turned into roller balls and pinwheels. It didn’t pick up enough mass to be a problem.
Old tracks, new tracks, and accumulated pinwheel sluff will all be challenging obstacles once the next refreeze locks things down.
The final ~100m of descent was elephant snot, yet the exit track and final flats were still supportive.
No new natural activity observed. Some wet loose debris appeared to be ~24-48h old.
Ron.Lakeman.Fan.Club,
Saturday 19th April, 2025 9:00AM
Gooood Friday
Warspite / Hermione col
Great, not quite amazing (not all faceshots like Sunday)
30 settled dry pow
A few unreactive pockets of windslab, mostly between 1/4 and 1/2way up the pitch and were bonding to the underlying snow, couple small spots of few cm windskin
CTH 26 uneven break down 75 on crust complex, north aspect, maybe 1/4 way up in one of the slabby spots
Expected more but only saw one small sluff off the heated headwall
Small cornice over the pitch, somewhat supported
Dropped before noon so still expecting the heat to kick in
Winds seemed to pick up once on the return route
Overall rad day
Charlie Kelly, King of the Rats,
Friday 18th April, 2025 10:00AM
Hidden Lake slide
At least a couple days old, probably during one of the warmer days earlier this week? Slid to the ground
jacksonbodtker,
Friday 18th April, 2025 6:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet.
Published: Apr 17th, 2025FHR
FHR traverse is in good shape
Fast travel on supportive frozen snow up and down
Good Track is set all the way up
Headwall was ok, 5-10 cm of dry snow on top of a crust, didn’t get wet by 11am.
Sunny then overcast after 11am.
Riding quality not so good (breakable crust then supportive snow) but we were able to skate all the flats below Burstall Pass.
Slope below the arch of the « hole in the wall couloir » would be happy to receive more snow
MATHURIN,
Thursday 17th April, 2025 1:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet.
Published: Apr 16th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 15th, 2025Northover-pushover col
Upper Kananakis Lake was in good skate skiing shape in the morning but was looking wetish in the afternoon.
Good travel up to Aster lake on powder and plasticy crust. Lots of wind slab in the alpine and treeline on all aspects.
On are descent, on polars there was variable wind slab above 2200m and good schmoooe skiing below.
Exit out three Ilse trail was mostly supportive but punchy in places.
A few cornice triggered persistence slabs or wind slabs to size 2 in the last 24 hrs.
wardsbd,
Tuesday 15th April, 2025 12:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 14th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Loose Dry, Loose Wet.
Published: Apr 13th, 2025Little Middle Sister Col: New bolts
We skied up the south facing slope to the col between the little and middle sisters. We added 3 protection bolts to a left-trending ramp to reach an existing rappel anchor (2 pins + bolt) on the little sister side of the col. From here, there is 10m of easy snow climbing to reach the col. We dropped down the north side for mostly excellent skiing with some rocks hiding beneath the surface. This now makes for a nice circumnavigation ski tour of the little sister with a 30m rope, several quick draws and a little bit of 5.4 climbing.
With the recent heat, I don't think the snow on the south side of this route will last the week this season, but a highly recommended tour when conditions present themselves.
michaelgregory.rohs,
Sunday 13th April, 2025 11:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Apr 12th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Apr 11th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Loose Wet, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 10th, 2025Purple col to heroes traverse
Good dry powder skiing on the northern aspects of purple col and sweet 16. We ascended to purple col via the dog leg region. cornices threaten the SE ascent to purple Col in the ALP bowl. pinwheels and small solar triggered sluffs on steep solar slopes by mid morning. We were glad to be through that zone by 10am. But even a bit earlier would have been better. Observed likely wind triggered avalanche from steep rocky terrain at approximately 1pm while descending sweet 16 from heroes. Winds were observed gusting at ridges at 3000m.
Snowpack very moist at the road by 130pm, but still supportive to boots.
sfluker,
Thursday 10th April, 2025 9:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 9th, 2025French-Haig whiteout
Surprisingly good conditions on the descent. Up to 30cm blower in lee features. The headwall up to the pass had 15-30cm 4f-1f slab reactive on the upper 15cm.
No new avalanches to report appart from spindrift.
marekseeley,
Wednesday 9th April, 2025 11:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 8th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 7th, 2025Hogarth Lakes-Outdoor Ed. Trip
Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre,
Monday 7th April, 2025 12:30PM
Engadine Burn Forest
Whoomphing and shooting cracks isolated to gladed areas.
jujuparfitt,
Monday 7th April, 2025 7:30AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 6th, 2025Heroes Knob
We found up to 40cm of dry fist snow with no wind effect on top of a supportive crust on alpine polar aspects up to 2400m. Made for excellent powder skiing
Tons of evidence of old avalanches up to size 3 especially on South and East aspects.
Top 5-10cm of snow becoming moist on solar aspects in the afternoon. We observed debris from a sz 2 slab on south aspect looking like it released within the last 12 hours.
cmurrayschlitt,
Saturday 5th April, 2025 2:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 5th, 2025Engadine Burn
Short lap on the lower part of the Engadine Burn. Snow was heavy and wet when skinning up. Stayed on low angle slope and had a few nice turns.
fmavrot,
Saturday 5th April, 2025 10:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 4th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 3rd, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Apr 2nd, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Apr 1st, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 31st, 2025French creek avalanche and cracking
R.Kuhnlein,
Monday 31st March, 2025 1:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 30th, 2025Engadine Burn
Max Sze,
Sunday 30th March, 2025 11:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 29th, 2025Burstall Pass
160HS at TL at burstall pass. 25cm storm snow on the march 28 rain crust. Moist in exposed terrain, dry in sheltered terrain in the trees. The rain crust is 10cm thick and supportive for skis and boots. Below the crust is 50cm of dense 1F snow that appears to have settled significantly in last week’s warm temps. The winter facets are down 85 cms. CTM11 BRK at the facet interface down 85cm. On this test I removed the rain crust first.
Snowpack more supportive than it has been in a while because of the march 28 rain crust and settled storm snow beneath the crust which seemed to be bridging the deep facets. The return of cold temps after the big warming this past week also gave the snowpack some strength.
I used an unconventional line to ascend the pass, staying in the trees way climbers left to fully avoid the runout of the avi paths off snow peak. Big crown lines off the ridge leading to snow peak.
Good day for the teles in 25cms of new snow on the supportive crust
sfluker,
Saturday 29th March, 2025 2:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 28th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 27th, 2025Dog leg slide path
avalanche.safety,
Thursday 27th March, 2025 3:00AM
Dog leg slide path
avalanche.safety,
Thursday 27th March, 2025 3:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 26th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 25th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 24th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 23rd, 2025Snowpack test in roadside meadow near Black Prince trailhead
bruce.jamieson,
Sunday 23rd March, 2025 10:30AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 22nd, 2025Miners Gully Test
DISCLAIMER: Not very experienced digging snow pits or examining layers
Hiked up Ha Ling on Saturday to do some research on the Miners Gully line. Did not bring skis. Just hiked up and down the day hiking trail. Lowered into the line around 5-10 meters to dig a pit and see how things are looking while on a rope.
Top 15cms are a very reactive slab. Next 60cms would pop as well with some convincing. Bottom portion of the snow pack, 90cm plus, is all very sugary snow. Did not leave with confidence!
Decently large cornice has formed over the entrance to this line. We dug away at most of it and threw the snow boulders into the line seeing how the snow would react, nothing reacted.
Very windy at the top while we were there and snowing slightly.
kearlscott2,
Saturday 22nd March, 2025 11:00AM
Buller mountain, size big
guillaume.ledall,
Saturday 22nd March, 2025 1:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 21st, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 20th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 19th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 18th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 17th, 2025Hogarth Lakes
R.Kuhnlein,
Monday 17th March, 2025 11:15AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 16th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 15th, 2025Engadine Burn test pit
Found great skiing lapping low angled burnt trees, 25-30cm of powder on top of a widespread supportive crust on sunny aspects. Good coverage in the burn, we stuck to sunny slopes as snowpack was unsupportive in shaded areas below treeline due to lack of crust.
Dug test pit at 2175m, HS 85, ECTX results.
cmurrayschlitt,
Saturday 15th March, 2025 3:00PM
A walk in the woods (with instabilities) .
We did Chester Lake with a group of 8, with the goal to stick to very low angle terrain while hopefully observe signs of instabilities at some point with the team. We were eating lunch at the lake and I started to bounce on the snow, when a noticable whumpf, released and everyone dropped a bit. So we explored the instabilities around the lake. In one area a shooting crack went 10+ m to the steam edge and large slabs cracked off and slid down in to the creek bottom.
It was an excellent day of learning on zero consequence terrain, and a rare chance to see such tangible, immediate evidence of the problems in the forecast for a new group.
recrd,
Saturday 15th March, 2025 11:00AM
A walk in the woods (with instabilities) .
We did Chester Lake with a group of 8, with the goal to stick to very low angle terrain while hopefully observe signs of instabilities at some point with the team. We were eating lunch at the lake and I started to bounce on the snow, when a noticable whumpf, released and everyone dropped a bit. So we explored the instabilities around the lake. In one area a shooting crack went 10+ m to the steam edge and large slabs cracked off and slid down in to the creek bottom.
It was an excellent day of learning on zero consequence terrain, and a rare chance to see such tangible, immediate evidence of the problems in the forecast for a new group.
recrd,
Saturday 15th March, 2025 11:00AM
Little Prince Skiing
Really great riding conditions. Forecast accurate, very weak layer persistent slab on facets, but snow on top was more consolidated and good to ride on. We stuck to denser trees and had no issues. Avoided open slopes.
Picture with red line was a crown from something that must have slid the week before. Lots of debris on the lake.
patrickjdwyerjr,
Saturday 15th March, 2025 9:30AM
Engadine Burnt Trees
Probed down to 125cm at 2,800m
Lots of whumpfing.
Skied open burnt trees, lots of powder, but felt the March crust under foot at times. When making new tracks, stepped through both the March and Jan 30th crust at times.
CM10,
Saturday 15th March, 2025 9:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 14th, 2025Avalanche Accident
avalanche.safety,
Friday 14th March, 2025 3:00PM
Tryst Size 2
Formofrocket,
Friday 14th March, 2025 12:00PM
Chester Lake Observation
We didn’t ski any slopes today, outside of the skin up/ski out. The sun felt especially warm when it came out of the clouds. It’s definitely warm out there. Also, I was surprised by how much more fresh snow there was from yesterday. Looks like there was more avalanche activity on Chester, but sure when it took place.
m.k.ambro,
Friday 14th March, 2025 9:30AM
Skier accidental/remote- black prince area
We were climbing the ridge and went to far out onto a sun exposed slope. Remote triggered sz 1 while placing a kick turn and sinking into facets. A loud whoomf and settlement occurred just before it released. We retreated back to the ridge
johnacheson99,
Friday 14th March, 2025 9:09AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 13th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 13th, 2025Chester lake
wardsbd,
Thursday 13th March, 2025 1:00PM
Tryst Chutes
Lapped the chutes today, we experienced stormy conditions, strong gusts of wind, and light snowfall throughout the day (~5cm). Storm slab was present and reactive, particularly on wind-loaded aspects. Persistent layer is tricky and can still be found easily in steeper terrain. Visibility was limited at times but we observed several old avalanches from the past few days, indicating recent instability. Continued loading from the storm is adding stress to the snowpack, and avalanche hazard remains elevated. Careful route selection and stability assessments recommended.
Jacob St Amand,
Thursday 13th March, 2025 8:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs.
Published: Mar 12th, 2025Kananaskis Lakes, Hot and Heavy
A bit of greenhousing and solar input made the south aspects go wet and heavy. The polar aspects below 2400m were just below zero and started to feel heavy. Observered several natural wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 out steep high alpine SW slopes mostly in the Opal range.
Breaking trail below 2200m on NE aspect was very tough as you would sink through the 70cm of storm snow in to facets below. Experienced lots of setlements and whumpfing on this layer. Easy trail breaking on the south aspects.
wardsbd,
Wednesday 12th March, 2025 2:00PM
ECTs beside Mud Lake, Kananaskis
bruce.jamieson,
Wednesday 12th March, 2025 12:00PM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 11th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 10th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 9th, 2025Remote Trigger N Aspect
MWerner,
Sunday 9th March, 2025 11:00AM
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 8th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs.
Published: Mar 8th, 2025Dogleg area
m_lab,
Saturday 8th March, 2025 10:00AM
Wind wind and more wind
Super windy at an attempt at Birdwood Traverse. We were sick of the wind and didn’t have high hopes for coverage in the commonwealth valley so bailed at the Col. larger group continued on.
South facing slopes at burstall were absolutely bullet proof ice crust with a range of 0 cm to 20+ of windslab on top. Highly recommend ski crampons for anything south facing after seeing that, can’t imagine much good skiing unless north facing. Snowing horizontally and heavily when we left around noon, no snow at car.
bdpiche,
Saturday 8th March, 2025 8:00AM
French-Haig-Robertson
Skied the French-Haig-Robertson traverse in nice sunny weather.
We started the day with low expectations for coverage on the glaciers and an assessment mindset and were pleasantly surprised by the conditions. Looked like no one had been there before us since the last storm, we broke trail the whole way once above treeline, finding 10-25cm of new unconsolidated soft snow on top of old supportive crusts or wind affect.
Average snow depth on the glacier was ~150-200cm on the French and ~280cm on the Haig, though we stayed only on the North side of the glacier following the direct route to the Robertson. On the Robertson, we stuck to the far East side of the glacier where coverage was ~280cm on the upper steep pitch. We let great skiing pull us further skiers left than intended and found snow depth much thinner there. Promptly traversed back out to the right side where coverage was much better. Ski quality was excellent on the Robertson with 30cm of unconsolidated powder showing no signs of wind effect or slabbing.
We observed 3 avalanches in motion and tons of debris from the last cycle. Two loose avalanches out of steep solar terrain during peak solar warming around 1400hrs on the headwall south of the Robertson-Douglas Col. One natural sz 1 starting from steep rocky terrain (see pictures), and a loose sz 1 running 50m on the Mar 2 crust initiated by skier while skinning up the headwall. The last avalanche we saw was a surprisingly large natural sz 2 on the East side of Whistling Rock peak that ran all the way to valley bottom with the powder cloud, and possibly debris covering the ski track around 1630hrs. We suspect cornice triggered windslab that stepped down to PWL in the open slopes below.
We also noticed multiple sz 2 crownlines and debris deposits on the east face of Mt Burstall, some stepping down to ground (see pictures), as well as countless old loose avalanches out of steep cliffs.
Overall, a great day out with surprisingly good skiing. Though we wished we had started earlier to avoid exposing ourselves to the headwall during the heat of the day.
cmurrayschlitt,
Thursday 6th March, 2025 2:01PM