Avalanche warning extended again, includes K-Country

Avalanche Canada has announced that the Special Public Avalanche Warning originally issued on February 29 has been extended a second time.

"This warning applies only to Banff, Yoho, Kootenay National Parks and Alberta’s Kananaskis Country. It is in effect immediately and will apply until the end of the day on Sunday, March 10," Avalanche Canada stated. "A variety of weak layers, established in early February, are now buried anywhere from 40 to 100 centimetres deep in these regions. After recent storms, the forecast is for clear skies and warmer temperatures in the Rocky Mountains."

Avalanche Canada has announced that the Special Public Avalanche Warning originally issued on February 29 has been extended a second time. (Graphic credit to Avalanche Canada) 

This combination of factors has the potential for challenging avalanche conditions. Persistent weak layers remain very active and easy to trigger, and any avalanche triggered on them will be large enough to injure or even kill a person. The sun’s effect will also make natural and human-triggered avalanches likely over the weekend.

Avalanche Canada underlined that it is vital to maintain careful, cautious decision-making during this time.

"Avoid areas with overhead hazards and stick to smaller, lower angle slopes with low consequences. The new snow and blue skies will be tempting, but recreationists should be careful not to let this influence decisions."

While the special warning is no longer in effect for the rest of Avalanche Canada’s regions, dangerous avalanche conditions will still exist for some areas. 

Backcountry users should always check the avalanche forecast before recreating. Everyone in a backcountry party needs the essential rescue gear—transceiver, probe, and shovel—and the training to use it. 

Last weekend, a 58-year-old Alberta man died near Revelstoke due to an avalanche. Revelstoke RCMP was notified of the backcountry avalanche in the area of Sale Mountain.

"[The man] was snow-biking with a group and was trapped in the avalanche. The man was located by group members and first aid assistance was provided immediately."

Revelstoke Search and Rescue were deployed to the scene and the man was transported via helicopter to Queen Victoria Hospital in Revelstoke. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

That fatality occurred several days after another man in Alberta also died in an avalanche-related incident. On February 24, Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek RCMP responded to an avalanche fatality between Carbondale and Castle Mountain Ski Resort.

According to police, two adults and two children had been snowmobiling when an avalanche occurred.

"One of the males was able to escape with both children, but the second male was buried in the snow."

The lone fatality was later identified as a 46-year-old man from Magrath, Alberta. 

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