March could be the last chance for snowmobilers to get outside and enjoy nature this winter but they should also be aware of when they're out in the back country or on the trails.

Avalanche Canada reports that over the last five years 15 people have died in recreational avalanche accidents, 12 being snowmobilers.

Spokesperson Simon Horton says there's a number of factors why March avalanches are more common, beside the obvious of temperatures warming up.

"Historically, there's been quite a bit more avalanche incidents in the month of March," he says. "There's a couple possible reasons for that, one is that over the cold winter months there's a bunch of weak snow that forms and once it gets warmer you get heavier snow on top of it."

The avalanche forecast deals with a five level scale of hazards from low, moderate, considerable, high and extreme that is available 24/7 on Avalanche Canada's website.

Horton says it doesn't hurt to be prepared for any situation that could come your way.

"The way you would treat it and it's quite similar to any other time of the year you want to be able to have avalanche training, have the proper rescue equipment and know what the current conditions from the avalanche forecast and be able to plan a safe day in the mountains."

Horton says the most important tools you should have when you head out is a shovel, avalanche transceiver and a probe because you rarely have time to call for help if an avalanche occurs and have to help those potentially trapped.

"You want to look at more of the details of what type of avalanches there are and where to expect them. That's where you if you read an avalanche forecast it can describe more specifically what type of terrain is more dangerous."

For the latest Avalanche Forecast follow the link.

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