A special public avalanche warning has been issued for the Easter long weekend; this comes as a high number of snowmobilers have been killed while riding in the backcountry.

Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada, and Kananaskis Country have teamed up to issue the warning for backcountry users. The warning applies to Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, and Jasper National Parks, Kananaskis Country, and Avalanche Canada’s Purcells and the North Rockies regions. The warning is in effect from March 25 to March 28.

Photo Credit: Tim Grey/Avalanche Canada

The main issue is a deeply buried weak layer that has recently produced large human-triggered and natural avalanches. While not obvious to the eye, large human triggered avalanches are possible, as are naturally occurring avalanches with triggers such as cornices or daytime warming.

Backcountry users without experience or training in avalanche safety and terrain recognition should avoid avalanche terrain this weekend. For those with experience and avalanche safety training, be extremely cautious in areas with thin snowpack, and limit your exposure by avoiding large slopes.

This winter 12 snowmobilers have been killed in backcountry avalanches throughout the province. Numerous other skiers and snowmobilers have lost their lives as a result of backcountry accidents as well.

Photo Credit: twaite76/Avalanche Canada

Avalanches can be initiated from a distance and can propagate across entire mountain features.               

It’s also very important to avoid slopes threatened by cornices. Pay particular attention to where your group stops to group up and ride in avalanche terrain one at a time.

Before heading out into the backcountry, users are urged to check conditions on the Avalanche Canada website. All people heading into the backcountry need to be equipped with an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. A two-day Avalanche Skills Training 1 course is the minimum training recommended for travelling in avalanche terrain.