The sun is once again beaming down on Jasper National Park after 48 hours of heavy snowfall last week. The deluge, while unusual this early in the season, briefly elevated the avalanche danger to high, and it is currently sitting at considerable in the alpine region. The inclement weather meant Parks Canada Visitor Safety and Highway Services staff were busy working to reduce the risk for people travelling through the park.
Each winter has a character of its own, depending on various factors, including weather patterns, frequency of snowfalls and temperature trends. The snowfall this past week was particularly heavy—between 40 cm and 100 cm of snow was reported between the Columbia Icefields and Jasper townsite.
Parks Canada’s highway crew worked to clear snow from the Icefields Parkway on Saturday, Nov. 29, and our Visitor Safety team prepared for an avalanche control mission in -25 °C weather on Saturday.
Very often, due to long periods of cold temperatures and little snowfall, the snowpack in the Rocky Mountains tends to be shallow and not particularly well-bonded. As part of the highway avalanche program, Parks Canada Visitor Safety staff conducted active avalanche control in the Maligne Lake Road and Icefields Parkway areas.
How can you be prepared for winter travel?
Safety first:
It is critical that all backcountry users are equipped with essential safety gear for avalanche terrain. It is recommended that all members of the party carry an avalanche transceiver, a probe, and a shovel, regardless of expected conditions. It is equally vital that everyone is familiar with and has practiced using this equipment.
Never travel alone in avalanche terrain and make sure someone at home knows where you are going and when you are expected back.
Anyone thinking about travelling in avalanche terrain should first take a basic avalanche awareness and safety course taught by a certified Avalanche Skills Training course instructor.
Plan ahead:
Parks Canada provides daily Avalanche Bulletins at www.avalanche.pc.gc.ca to assist backcountry users in decision making. The bulletins contain timely and detailed information on current avalanche conditions and three day forecasts.
Check the road report for the most recent information on planned closures and expected opening times before heading out: www.511.alberta.ca or 780-852-3311.
Parks Canada
Special to the Fitzhugh
