As winter conditions return, all backcountry users have a responsibility to understand avalanche terrain, carry proper safety equipment, and know how to perform companion rescue. It is also important to note that avalanches are more likely to occur when there has been heavy snowfall, wind, or sudden warming.

The Alberta Parks Kananaskis Mountain Rescue team monitors avalanche conditions following the first snowfall of the season, and daily avalanche bulletins are posted on avalanche.ca from Nov. 15 until April 15 in partnership with Avalanche Canada. An early-season bulletin was issued this year on Oct. 12.

Reducing avalanche risk

Backcountry users are encouraged to stay informed about weather and snow conditions by checking avalanche.ca for daily conditions and Alberta Parks advisories for trail reports. Everyone should carry an avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel, and a GPS communication device or a satellite-enabled smartphone with extra batteries. To further help users better identify avalanche terrain, Kananaskis Mountain Rescue has also developed an online resource available at albertaparks.ca/ATES.

To reduce risk, Avalanche Canada recommends:

  • Taking an avalanche safety course.
  • Learning to recognize avalanche terrain and sticking to lower-angle slopes (under 30 degrees). 
  • Choosing terrain that minimizes the consequences of an avalanche. 
  • Traveling one at a time when exposed to avalanche terrain. 
  • Avoiding sun-exposed slopes during warm and/or sunny conditions. 

Quick facts

  • Kananaskis Mountain Rescue responds to approximately 375 backcountry incidents annually.
  • The Kananaskis Mountain Rescue team produces a daily public avalanche bulletin and an avalanche hazard forecast to help inform Albertans and visitors in the Kananaskis region.
  • Alberta’s government provided a multi-year grant of $750,000 to Avalanche Canada to support:
    • the development and promotion of avalanche education,
    • critical services for Kananaskis avalanche forecasting, and
    • public safety information. 
  • Avalanches are the deadliest natural disaster in Canada, killing more people every year than all other natural disasters combined.  

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