Kananaskis Country Backcountry Avalanche Information Report
Report valid: Saturday, January 15, 2011 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 Trails Report

Avalanche Danger Scale Rating:

Alpine: High
Treeline: High
Below Treeline: Considerable

Discussion:

Rising temps, lots of snow available for transport and strong SW winds are creating ideal 
conditions for slab development at treeline and above.  A natural avalanche cycle has 
started and is expected to continue over the next 24hrs.  Now is a good time to avoid 
exposure to avalanche terrain.

Avalanche control on the East end of Mt Rundle will be happening Sunday.  A temporary 
road closure between 11:00 and 12:00 will be occurring for this control work to take place.  
No hiking or climbing on the East end of rundle is permitted until this work is completed.  
Thanks for your co-operation!

33cm of snow has fallen at lower elevations over the past few days with closer to 50cm at 
treeline.  This snow has fallen on a generally weak facetted base and as a result, this 
rapid loading combined with moderate winds is causing widespread slab development and 
natural avalanche activity on all aspects.  Cracking and whumpfing have all been observed 
by field teams travelling in the region indicating that the snowpack is highly unstable at 
this time and human triggered avalanches are very likely at treeline and above.  Avoid 
travelling in avalanche terrain at this time and stick to conservative terrain well away 
from run-out zones. 

Numerous avalanches were observed on Saturday with the majority of these slides occurring 
on N and E aspects.  Some avalanches appeared to initiate in the storm snow but then step 
down to the November rain crust at the base of the snowpack.  Avalanches are running to the 
end of their normal run-outs at this time reaching well down into valley floors.  

Snowfalls are expected to drop off overnight before another weak pulse of snow hits the 
forecast area Sunday afternoon.  We may see up to 5cm of new snow from this system but then 
looking into Monday, more snow with up to 10cm forecast for the Smith Dorrien Region.  Winter 
is arriving.

Conditions:

Good skiing in sheltered low angle terrain but expect to work a little to get up there with ski 
penetrations around knee deep.  Many avalanche accidents happen immediately following a storm 
so be sure to rein yourself in right now and don’t push out into more aggressive terrain, now 
is definetly NOT the time!