Although the calendar may say spring, avalanches should remain on the radar for backcountry recreationists in Yukon and northern B.C.’s mountains.

As the Easter long weekend approaches, Avalanche Canada and the Yukon Avalanche Association (YAA) are urging backcountry users to exercise caution and keep avalanche safety in mind.

“April is a time when significant changes in snow conditions can occur quite rapidly,” YAA president Jasmin Dobson said today.

“Given the unusually weak snowpack we’ve experienced over this winter, additional care is warranted this spring.”

Solar radiation becomes a major factor in destabilizing the snowpack at this time of year, according to Dobson.

“The days are getting a lot longer and afternoon sun has been really packing a punch lately.

“When it’s out and the temperature is rising, it’s time to back away from steeper terrain and remain constantly aware of hazards overhead.”

Skiers, snowboarder and snowmobilers are encouraged to review the latest Hot Zone Report and the numerous reports submitted by backcountry users to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

The MIN provides valuable information on latest conditions, which, in addition to the Hot Zone Report, is an essential tool for trip planning in the White Pass and Haines Pass.

Recognizing and managing avalanche terrain is an important skill for all backcountry users, made possible by a combination of training and experience, the two avalanche groups said.

Recreationists are also encouraged to check out the free online avalanche tutorial at avalanche.ca/tutorial or take a two-day Avalanche Skills Training course.

Every person in a backcountry group needs the essential avalanche rescue gear—an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.

Make sure all this equipment is in good shape and everyone is familiar with its use.

To minimize risk, the two groups said, backcountry users should always:

• expose only one person at a time in avalanche terrain;

• group up only in safe locations, well away from avalanche runout zones; and

• avoid terrain traps whenever possible.