Saturday, February 11, 2006 Kananaskis Country Backcountry Avalanche Information Report Report valid: Saturday, February 11, 2006 until further notice. **This report is for backcountry terrain only. Skiing conditions for facility areas are not included in this report. For current trail conditions please see our Trail Reports. **Avalanche Danger Scale for Alpine: Moderate, for Treeline: Moderate, for Below Treeline: Low. **Discussion: Warm and clear weather made for a stellar day in the mountain on Saturday. Field observations today were showing temperatures of +4ºC at treeline locations with very little associated winds. The warm temperatures are beginning to penetrate the snowpack and natural avalanche activity related to the sun was being observed later in the day. The majority of slides observed were concentrated on more southern aspects and failing as point releases from thin rocky terrain or from near trees. Clear skies and warmer temperatures are expected to continue into Sunday. As the day warms up on Sunday, it can be expected that stability in solar affected areas will decrease. Weaker areas will be steep, thin rocky terrain where the sun will have its greatest effect. Lee aspects where last weeks winds slabs still remain should also be thoroughly evaluated before committing to any large alpine features. Avoid solar affected areas later in the day on Sunday and be aware of the potential for small point releases to step down to a deeper weak layer. **Conditions: No substantial snowfall in the past week is making popular areas tracked out. Sheltered areas that are providing good skiing can still be found but you got to look and work a little harder for them. Breakable crusts are being found on north aspects near treeline in some locations so feel out the snow before you really let them go.