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Avalanche Forecast - Kananaskis Country   


Date Issued   Sunday, 19 February 2012 5:00 PM      Valid Until    Monday, 20 February 2012 5:00 PM

Light to very light flurries will continue for the next few days. Although this will slowly add load to the buried layers of surface hoar, facets and sun crust, little change in the danger level is expected.

Danger Rating: Monday Alpine Treeline Below Treeline
2 - Moderate Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
2 - Moderate Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
1 - Low Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Tuesday Wednesday
Alpine 2 - Moderate 2 - Moderate
Treeline 2 - Moderate 2 - Moderate
Below Treeline 1 - Low 1 - Low
Confidence: Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain for the entire period
Learn more about danger ratings
Low Moderate Considerable High Extreme

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.
Wind Slabs
What Elevation Zone?
Which Slopes?
Chance of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Skier triggerable windslabs up to 35cm deep are being observed along ridgelines in alpine areas and in isolated terrain features such as gullies and cross-loaded bowls at treeline. A size 1.0 skier accidental slab occurred on Tent Ridge on Friday.
Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
  • Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.
  • Consider doing the longer alpine ski tours while the ski penetration remains low.
Loose Dry
What Elevation Zone?
Which Slopes?
Chance of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Loose unconsolidated surface snow is sluffing easily with skier traffic in steeper terrain. This snow could easily knock a skier or climber down carrying them into a hazard.
Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
  • Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.
  • Consider doing the longer alpine ski tours while the ski penetration remains low.
Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation Zone?
Which Slopes?
Chance of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Weak facets and depth hoar still linger at the base of the snowpack. Thin steep areas are places skiers should be thinking about possibly triggering this basal problem. Even though danger is rated as moderate, be thinking about consequences.
Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
  • Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.
  • Consider doing the longer alpine ski tours while the ski penetration remains low.

Prepared by jeremy.mackenzie