Parks Canada, Kananaskis Country and Avalanche Canada will be coordinating efforts to issue a Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW) through the Easter long weekend for the following regions:

Banff
Kootenay
Jasper
Kananaskis Country
Purcells
North Rockies

The warning is anticipated to be in effect from March 25 to March 28.

The main issue is a deeply buried weak layer that has recently produced large human-triggered and natural avalanches. There is a sense the public is likely to underestimate the danger associated with triggering a deep layer that has the potential to cause an unsurvivable avalanche. The expected warm and sunny weather this weekend will likely cause cornices to collapse, creating more potential triggers.

Good weather and a long weekend will combine to increase recreational mountain travel.