Heavy snowfall in Rockies means ‘considerable’ risk of avalanche this weekend

BANFF, Alta. – A recent snowfall in southern Alberta and B.C. has prompted a warning about avalanche risk this weekend.

Up to 80 centimetres of snow has fallen in the Rockies and the Canadian Avalanche Centre is calling the risk of avalanche “considerable.”

Ilya Storm of the centre says the biggest risk is outside the resort areas.

She says people using the back country need to make good decisions, exercise caution and stay off steep terrain.

Tanya Otif from Sunshine Village says their snow safety team does things daily to control avalanche risk and works closely with Parks Canada.

Matt Mosteller from the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies says while they also monitor the risk daily, there are things skiers can do to make sure they keep safe.

“The most important thing is to stay inside the ski resort boundaries, and enjoy your skiing and riding there,” he said.

Mosteller advises never skiing out in back country in any condition without proper gear and training.

(CFFR)