Avalanche warning issued for mountains after heavy snowfall

After a record-setting snowfall in parts of southern Alberta, Avalanche Canada is warning the public about an increased risk of avalanches in the mountains.

A special public avalanche warning has been issued for all recreational users of backcountry and front country avalanche terrain. The warning is slated to last until Dec. 27.

THE WARNING APPLIES TO A WIDE LIST OF REGIONS INCLUDING:

■ Kootenay-boundary

■ South Columbia

■ North Columbia

■ Purcells

■ Cariboos

■ North Rockies

■ South Rockies

■ Lizard Range-flathead

■ Banff National Park

■ Yoho National Park

■ Glacier National Park

■ Waterton Lakes National Park

■ Kananaskis Country

According to Avalanche Canada, the snowpack in these areas was already in a bad state due to a weak layer 60 to 100 centimetres below the surface, and recent snowfall has brought the snowpack to a “tipping point.”

Large avalanches could be easily triggered by people on snowshoes, skis or snowmobiles.

“With indoor gatherings restricted by the pandemic, we recognize many of us will want to spend time outdoors in our beautiful backcountry over the holidays,” James Floyer, forecast program supervisor for Avalanche Canada, said in a news release. “People must be aware that even though the weather has settled, dangerous avalanche conditions remain throughout much of Western Canada.

“There is a serious potential for large, human-triggered avalanches at this time.”

Avalanche Canada, Parks Canada and Kananaskis Country is asking all backcountry users to make conservative terrain choices and to look for low angle and densely forested slopes.

Regional avalanche forecasts can be found at avalanche.ca.