This year’s snowpack is unusual and dangerous for avalanches.

“Professionals with decades of experience suggest that this weak of a snowpack is only seen once every ten or even 20 years,” said Zoe Ryan, a public avalanche forecaster with  Avalanche Canada based in Revelstoke.

The snowpack is shallow, and a cold-snap in December means there is “weak, sugary snow at the base,” Ryan said.

That means the snowpack has what’s called a “deep, persistent slab problem,” Ryan said.

“It’s high consequence,” she said, “meaning it has the capability of producing very large avalanches.”

There are also weak layers present throughout the snowpack, making it even more unpredictable.

The snowpack is surprising everyone, Ryan said, from recreationalists to seasoned backcountry professionals.

For example, avalanches are being triggered remotely. That means riders have to pay attention to slopes above and adjacent to them, as well as the ones they're on.

This is most likely to be a problem in areas that haven't been tracked yet this winter, Ryan said.

"So we really encourage people to stick to areas that have been heavily tracked throughout the winter, and avoid venturing into untouched zones."

Ryan herself is aligning her ski goals for the year with the conditions. Managing risk doesn’t mean people can’t have fun, she says.

“When I’m heading out I’m thinking about choosing low angle terrain, and enjoying the simplicity of getting out with my friends, or getting some exercise and being in the outdoors.”

Click below to listen to a full interview.