Avalanche
A solo skier narrowly escaped death and injury after triggering a large avalanche in Miner’s Gully near Canmore, Alberta, on Saturday. The slide carried the skier almost 2,000 feet (600 meters) down a narrow gully, miraculously resulting in only a lost ski pole.
The avalanche, witnessed by a third party who immediately called 911, began on weak basal facets in a shallow snowpack at the top of the descent. As it travelled downhill, the slide transitioned into a wet slab, fueled by unseasonably warm air temperatures. Emergency responders, including Kananaskis Mountain Rescue, quickly arrived on the scene. A helicopter search using external transceivers and a RECCO device confirmed that no one else was involved in the incident.
“Solo skier triggered a large full-depth avalanche within the first 2 turns of Miner’s Gully and was carried 500 to 600m down the feature. No burial, no injuries, one lost pole. Incident was witnessed by third party that called 911. Once it was confirmed that the solo skier was ok, the debris was searched with a helicopter external transceiver and RECCO device with no other clues found.
Avalanche initially triggered on basal facets in shallow snowpack start zone. Lower down the avalanche appeared to fail as a wet slab. Air temp during the search ranged from +8C to +12C depending on elevation.
This avalanche serves as a good reminder of why it is important to star early and finish early during spring conditions. It is a very clear example how stability can dramatically deteriorate with intense daytime warming. This increases the probability of triggering loose wet and/or dangerous deep persistent and wet slab avalanches.”
– Avalanche Canada preliminary report
Officials from Avalanche Canada warned that snowpack stability can deteriorate quickly during spring, especially with daytime warming. “This avalanche serves as a good reminder of why it is important to start early and finish early during spring conditions,” Avalanche Canada stated. “It is a very clear example how stability can dramatically deteriorate with intense daytime warming. This increases the probability of triggering loose wet and/or dangerous deep persistent and wet slab avalanches.”
The terrain in Miner’s Gully, characterized by planar slopes and terrain traps such as gullies and depressions, increases the risk for anyone caught in a slide. Avalanche Canada urges backcountry users to exercise extreme caution, avoid sun-exposed slopes during warm periods, and carry essential rescue equipment.
Avalanche Canada has officially ended its public forecasting for the winter as of April 25. With the service now paused until next season, backcountry users are reminded that they must independently assess avalanche conditions and risks before heading out. The agency emphasizes the importance of early starts, careful terrain selection, and ongoing vigilance, especially as warming temperatures impact snowpack stability in the Rockies and beyond.
Seven avalanche-related fatalities have occurred in Canada this winter, compared to 12 in 2023-24 and 15 in 2022-23.
