Winter safety

When visiting Waterton Lakes National Park during winter, be prepared for winter’s special hazards: cold temperatures, storms, challenging travel conditions, avalanches, uncertain ice conditions and short days.

Be sure to check and prepare for the weather before you depart, file a trip plan and bring the right gear and clothing.

Backcountry travel always comes with inherent risks, and areas affected by the Kenow Wildfire may have increased hazards.

Backcountry travellers are responsible for their own decisions and safety.

Parks Canada issues Avalanche Bulletins for Waterton Lakes National Park three times a week throughout the winter. Almost any moderately steep slope, under the right conditions, may avalanche. Even small avalanches can be deadly.

Visitors travelling in avalanche terrain need essential training and equipment - such as a transceiver, probe, and shovel - and know how to use it. They also need the skills to recognize avalanche terrain and unstable conditions, and to conduct companion rescue.

Plan your trip

Before heading into the backcountry, research your trip to be sure you have the skills and experience it will demand of you. All backcountry travellers are responsible for their own decisions and safety, and should be well informed about the type of terrain they will encounter.

• Study the trail description and park map.
• Choose an objective suitable for the least experienced member in your party.
• With changing snow and weather conditions, avalanche hazard may exist on much of the terrain in Waterton Lakes National Park, including most of the trails.
• If the terrain you plan on visiting involves avalanche hazard you will need additional training and equipment.
• Be aware that there are specific travel restrictions that apply to custodial groups (those which include minors without their legal guardians) between November 15 and April 30.
• Consult the Avalanche Terrain Ratings for Waterton Lakes National Park to help determine if your planned objective is suitable for you.
• Check the current weather forecast, road report, current trail conditions, and avalanche bulletin.
• Gather emergency contact information.
• Travel with a friend or group.
• Tell someone where you are going and your expected return time.
• Be prepared for changes in weather and for emergencies.

What to bring

Here is list of items that you should consider bringing on any winter outing in Waterton Lakes National Park:

• Dress in layers, with a wind-resistant outer layer
• Keep your head, ears and hands covered to prevent frostbite
• Extra clothes, including hat, gloves and scarf or neck tube
• Warm and waterproof footwear
• Water bottle or thermos
• High-energy food, carry extra
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• First-aid kit
• General repair kit for skis, snowshoes or crampons
• Pocket knife
• Lightweight emergency blanket, candle, and lighter or waterproof matches
• Head lamp or flashlight with good batteries
• Navigation tools/route information (map, compass, GPS, guidebook)
• Means of calling for help (cell phone, personal locator device, VHF radio or satellite phone. Note: cell phones do not work in many backcountry areas of the park)

Winter weather

Waterton has highly variable mountain weather and it can change quickly. Winters are mild and snowy, with frequent warm spells caused by chinook winds. Winter storms can create high snow volumes, drifting snow, poor visibility and icy roads.

Ice safety from The Canadian Red Cross

Many factors affect ice thickness, including type of water, location, the time of year and other environmental factors such as:

• water depth and size of body of water
• currents and other moving water
• chemicals including salt
• fluctuations in water levels
• logs, rocks and docks absorbing heat from the sun
• changing air temperature

The colour of ice may be an indication of its strength:

• Clear blue ice is strongest.
• White opaque or snow ice is half as strong as blue ice. Opaque ice is formed by wet snow freezing on the ice.
• Grey ice is unsafe. The grayness indicates the presence of water.

Ice thickness should be:

• 15 cm for walking or skating alone.
• 20 cm for skating parties or games.

If you get into trouble on ice and you're by yourself:

• Call for help.
• Resist the immediate urge to climb back out where you fell in. The ice is weak in this area.
• Try to relax and catch your breath. Turn yourself toward shore so you are looking at where you entered onto the ice. The ice is more stable close to shore,
• Reach forward onto the broken ice without pushing down. Kick your legs to try to get your body into a horizontal position.
• Continue kicking your legs, and crawl onto the ice.

Rescuing another person from ice can be dangerous. The safest way to perform a rescue is from shore.

• Call for help. Consider whether you can quickly get help from trained professionals (police, fire fighters or ambulance) or bystanders.
• Check if you can reach the person using a long pole or branch from shore – if so, lie down and extend the pole to the person.
• If you go onto ice, wear a PFD and carry a long pole or branch to test the ice in front of you. Bring something to reach or throw to the person (e.g. pole, weighted rope, line or tree branch).
• When near the break, lie down to distribute your weight and slowly crawl toward the hole.
• Remaining low, extend or throw your emergency rescue device (pole, rope, line or branch) to the person.
• Have the person kick while you pull them out.
• Move the person to a safe position on shore or where you are sure the ice is thick. Signal for help.

More information

• Important bulletins
• Avalanche information
• Winter driving
• Winter activities
• Mountain national parks safety
• AdventureSmart: Winter