Avalanche warning issued for Rockies, parts of B.C. due to unstable snowpack and risk of 'large, destructive' slides

Monday, February 16, 2015, 6:34 PM - Winter sport enthusiasts are being asked to avoid a large area of the Canadian Rockies due to dangerous conditions.

Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning for a large area of the Rocky Mountains, including Kananaskis, Banff, Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper.

The warning was initially in effect until Sunday, but was later extended until Tuesday. Parks officials say that despite cooling temperatures and clear skies over the weekend, it may be later in the week before this year's hazardous snowpack stabilizes.

Avalanche professionals are calling the snowpack in the Rockies complex, with a deep persistent weak layer at the base of the snowpack.

“We have had a number of recent reports of unexpectedly large avalanches in these regions,” says Senior Public Avalanche Forecaster James Floyer. “The snowpack is being affected by unseasonably warm temperatures. This warming is stressing weak layers buried deep in the snowpack. We are waking a sleeping dragon in some cases.”

If the temperatures cool on Sunday as forecast, that will likely diminish the problem, adds Floyer.

“Cooler temperatures may make it less likely that a human could trigger an avalanche but the underlying issue—a weak snowpack—remains the same. We are cautioning all backcountry users to avoid aggressive riding in alpine bowls and exposure to large runout zones over the coming weekend.”

Recreational backcountry users, with little or no avalanche training, are being asked to avoid the warned areas, while those with experience are urged to travel on low-angle terrain, well-supported features with no large steep slopes or cornices above. 

An avalanche warning has also been issued for parts of British Columbia, including the backcountry in the South Columbia, Purcells, Kootenay-Boundary, South Rockies and Lizard Range and Flathead regions.

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Source: Avalanche Canada, CHQR, CFFR