Avalanche risk for the Canadian Rockies high this weekend, says an expert after a rare snow dump

Too much snow is an uncommon problem for a ski jump, but that’s exactly what happened this week at the Sunshine Village in Banff, Alta.

An avalanche expert says the snowfall that led to the closure of the ski area this weekend is linked to a significant avalanche danger in the region.

Kendra Scurfield, director of branding and communications at the Banff Sunshine Village ski and snowboard resort, says there has been more than a meter of snow in the area over the past week.

“It’s crazy … the storm was so big and since the storm produced so much, so much snow and the temperatures were above the season, it led to a higher risk of avalanches just because the snow was so heavy.”

Kendra Scurfield is the Director of Branding and Communications at Banff Sunshine Village. She called this week’s heavy snowfall an ‘anomaly’. (Radio Canada)

Scurfield says the snow the resort typically sees is much drier than other parts of Canada, but the snow had very high humidity this week.

“For us in the Canadian Rockies, that’s a bit of an anomaly.”

Due to the extreme risk of avalanches in Banff National Park and the associated closure of the access road, the resort was closed on December 1st and 2nd, but has since reopened.

Scurfield says the avalanche hazard is still considerable in some areas, and skiers and snowboarders are urged to be careful and follow clear closings.

Parks Canada says dangerous avalanche conditions still exist at the alpine level, and careful assessment of snow cover, careful route finding, and conservative decision-making are essential as human-induced avalanches are likely.

Chris Stethem is an avalanche safety expert and former Canmore Avalanche Protection Advisor. (Dave Gilson / CBC)

Chris Stethem, avalanche safety expert and former Canmore Avalanche Protection Advisor, says some conditions are different this year due to the unusually heavy snowfall.

Fluctuating freezing levels and strong winds increase the risk, he says.

“This is heavy snow for the Rockies, it’s something else … that’s a lot for the Canadian Rockies,” he said.

He says the highest risk activities for people visiting the mountains this weekend are ice climbing and ski touring.