Highway 742, also known as Spray Lakes Road or the Smith-Dorrien Trail, was closed between Grassi Lakes and the Goat Creek Day Use Area on March 26, 2026, to allow for avalanche control operations. The road, which serves as a vital route for residents and visitors accessing recreation areas near Canmore, Alberta, reopened to traffic at 3:46 pm that afternoon.
The closure was part of ongoing safety measures managed by Kananaskis Mountain Rescue. Crews used helicopters to deploy explosives into avalanche paths above the road, triggering controlled slides to safely reduce the amount of snow buildup. These operations are conducted regularly during the winter and spring months to prevent dangerous, unplanned avalanches from impacting the highway.
This work occurred during a historic avalanche cycle in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country region, triggered by an atmospheric river that brought heavy rain and snow between March 18 and March 22, 2026. Experts noted the resulting slide activity has been among the most significant observed in the region in 15 to 20 years. Mike Koppang, a public safety specialist with Kananaskis Mountain Rescue, described recent slide activity in the Murray Moraines area as the biggest he has seen in his career.
According to Avalanche Canada, avalanche danger in the region was rated as considerable in the alpine and at treeline on March 26, following earlier high to extreme ratings during the storm period. While the highway is currently open, officials advise that similar temporary closures may occur throughout the remainder of the spring season as changing temperatures and weather patterns continue to impact snow stability.
Drivers are encouraged to check for the latest travel information through 511 Alberta, the official service provided by the Government of Alberta Ministry of Transportation, before heading out on the road. Updated conditions for the area can also be found through Kananaskis Country.
