If you go out in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise.
Travel is not recommended on the Kootenay Boundary backcountry slopes and through its forests heading into the weekend as the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is reporting a considerable danger rating at all elevations.
The risk of an avalanche below the treeline, at the treeline and into the alpine remains as considerable well into the weekend, with a possible abatement by Sunday.
Storm slab avalanches are likely and wind slab avalanches are very likely, noted the CAC avalanche bulletin, with the new snow requiring several days to settle and stabilize.
“Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved,” the bulletin warned.
Avalanches up to 2.5 have been reported, predominantly windslabs failing naturally and with explosives in lee locations, wrote CAC forecaster Matt Peter in the bulletin.
“Isolated rider triggering has also been reported,” he said. “There have been avalanches reported both within the storm layers as well as at the initial storm interface, the Jan. 4 layer.”
And with the danger of avalanches ramping up this winter, Red Mountain Resort is offering a three-day avalanche safety training this weekend.
Starting today the Canadian Avalanche Association will be offering AST Level 1, an introductory qualification course from the association.
People will learn how to safely travel in the backcountry.
To register call Red at 362-7384 or toll free at 1-800-663-0105.