Parks Canada posts avalanche danger alert

Nov 25, Parks Canada information bulletin –

Parks Canada urging caution in the backcountry this weekend — current avalanche danger high in many places.

November 25, 2011 –- Parks Canada is strongly recommending visitors avoid avalanche areas this weekend by restricting their travel to simple terrain, track-set cross-country ski trails or within the boundaries of a ski resort. Unusually dangerous early season avalanche conditions are widespread at all elevations in many places in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks in Alberta and British Columbia.

These conditions are the result of this week’s snow fall, which doubled and in some cases tripled our snowpack depth on a very weak snow base layer. This snowpack is extremely reactive to human-triggered and naturally caused avalanches at all elevations. Another weather system is expected to move through the region over the weekend, which will add more snow and will further increase the avalanche danger.

Current avalanche danger is high and may go to extreme over the weekend.

Reduce your risk:

Avoid all avalanche terrain
Ensure all members of your party carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
Check the conditions and weather forecast before leaving

Daily avalanche bulletins for the mountain national parks as well as other areas are posted at: http://www.avalanche.ca. Please note these reports are valid for 24 hours only. Be sure to check the site daily for updates. Also visit Parks Canada’s mountain safety page at http://www.parksmountainsafety.ca.

Alternative options for outdoor recreation include: