Backcountry users warned to tread carefully as avalanche season begins

Trevor Dingman was out for an early season backcountry snowboard when he accidentally triggered what's believed to be the first reported avalanche of the season in Kananaskis Country.

Experts are warning people going into the backcountry that it's already time to watch for avalanche danger.

"I had climbed up the ridge," said the avid Canmore snowboarder. "I stepped on a low angle spot but it was a steeper area and that remote triggered this steeper pitch."

No one was injured in the 60-metre slide near Highwood Pass in Kananaskis, which was the first reported this season to the Kananaskis Country Public Safety Section.

That's a sign avalanche season has started in Alberta, says Parks Canada safety specialist Grant Statham, who's based in Banff.

Anywhere from 40 to 60 centimetres of snow covers ski ranges in the Rocky Mountains — and winter enthusiasts already are filling parking lots near backcountry ski haunts.

"Nobody waits anymore. First snowflake on the ground and everybody's out there," Statham told the Calgary Eyeopener on Wednesday.

A stretch of the Rockies and southwestern Foothills — from Grand Cache to Waterton Lakes National Park — is under a snowfall warning Wednesday, including Canmore, Kananaskis and Crownest Pass.

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The early snowpack looks promising so far, with another 30 cm expect in the mountains in the coming days.

'Time to ski carefully'

But this early snow can be "somewhat unpredictable," Statham said. It's shallow and may have rocks and shurbs poking out. Park staff will have little information on the snowpack and avalanche conditions until later in the season.

"Aside from avalanches, it's a time to ski carefully, that's for sure," Statham said.

"But on the other hand, it can also be a pretty neat time to be out there if you happen to get the right spot and you know the snow conditions are good. It's pretty exciting to start your season off with fantastic snow conditions."

Small avalanches — like this first one — can be "very hazardous," said Jeremy Mackenzie, a public safety specialist for Kananaskis Country. Such slides can knock skiers off cliffs or into hard terrain. A snow slab formed along a gully or precipice can be risky.

The Kananaskis Country Public Safety Section has been seeing late season scramblers and hikers, plus early season skiers and snowboarders at higher elevations. All need to be aware of avalanche dangers, Mackenzie said.

"If there's enough snow to ride, there's enough snow to slide. So think about that and use that as a rule of thumb," Mackenzie said.

Trails are becoming icy, too. Parks Canada says it has had to rescue several hikers who've slipped on snow-packed trails.

Regular avalanche bulletins will start later in November but Mackenzie said now is the time to break out the safety gear.

"This is the time to polish up your skills, make sure you get out and practise with your transceiver, your shovel and your probe — and you carry them always and you know how to use them," he said.

Nakiska ski hill opens this Saturday. Both Sunshine Village and Lake Louise ski hills open Nov. 10.

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With files from Dave Gilson and the Calgary Eyeopener