Avalanche
A special avalanche warning has been issued for backcountry users in British Columbia and western Alberta as an increasingly unstable snowpack poses a serious risk of human-triggered avalanches. The advisory, issued by Avalanche Canada in coordination with Parks Canada, Alberta Parks, and the Province of British Columbia, remains in effect until Monday, March 3.
Forecasters have identified a cohesive slab measuring 30 to 100 centimeters (12 inches to 3 feet) sitting on weak layers formed during prolonged dry spells earlier in the season. The unstable snowpack has already led to multiple close calls and serious incidents, with experts warning that conditions remain primed for avalanches.
“Now that the snow on top of them has consolidated, it’s a recipe for dangerous avalanches,” Avalanche Canada Forecaster Zoe Ryan said in an interview with the Calgary Herald. “These highly problematic layers remain primed for human triggering.”
While natural avalanche activity has decreased, officials warn that steep and complex terrain remains highly hazardous, especially as temperatures begin to warm. B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene stressed the importance of caution. The warning comes after a fatal avalanche in the Forster Creek area on Sunday, where a snowmobiler was fully buried under 50 to 60 centimeters (18-24 inches) of snow after triggering a slide on a steep, wind-affected slope. A companion rescue was attempted, but the victim did not survive.
Avalanche Safety Reminders
To reduce risk, Avalanche Canada urges backcountry users to:
- Stick to lower-angle slopes (less than 30 degrees)
- Choose terrain that minimizes the consequences of an avalanche
- Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain
- Avoid sun-exposed slopes during warm or sunny conditions
Anyone venturing into the backcountry should check avalanche forecasts at avalanche.ca and carry essential rescue gear, including an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel. Officials currently advise delaying trips until conditions improve to avoid potentially deadly consequences.
