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Avalanche warning issued by Parks Canada for Alberta, B.C. mountains

Parks Canada is warning backcountry users to be extra careful this weekend in the mountain parks of Alberta and British Columbia because of dangerous avalanche conditions.

Backcountry users asked to use caution in Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Kootenay where large avalanches have occurred

Parks Canada has issued a special avalanche warning in Alberta and B.C. mountain parks. (CBC)

Parks Canada is warning backcountry users to be extra careful this weekend in the mountain parks of Alberta and British Columbia because of dangerous avalanche conditions.

The agency's special public avalanche warning (SPAW) includes:

  • Jasper National Park.
  • Banff National Park.
  • Kootenay National Park
  • Yoho National Park.

"Over the past week these regions had a major avalanche cycle where numerous large avalanches ran well into the run out zones," Parks Canada said in a release.

The avalanche risk is rated as "considerable" below treeline, at treeline and at the alpine elevations in these areas.

Avalanche risk is also rated as considerable in Kananaskis Country at treeline and alpine elevations, and in Glacier National Park below the treeline and at the alpine elevation in Glacier National Park.

Backcountry users should check conditions on the Avalanche Canada site or Parks Canada before heading out and be sure to have avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels, the agency says. 

The special public avalanche warnings cover the mountains in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Glacier national parks for the period of Feb. 17 to 20. (Parks Canada )