Avalanche warning issued for several B.C. regions

A special public avalanche warning has been issued this week for several regions within British Columbia.

Avalanche Canada issued the warning today (Dec. 23) for recreational users of backcountry and frontcountry avalanche terrain. The notice will stay in effect until Sunday, Dec. 27.

Senior Public Avalanche Forecaster Mark Bender says the extra snow and wind that blew through southern B.C. this week has raised the avalanche danger rating. The snowpack has been brought to a tipping point where large avalanches can be easily triggered by people on snowshoes, skis, or snowmobiles.

“Even if it’s good weather and you’re heading out there, ensure that you select conservative terrain because there’s a few buried weak layers in the snowpack that recently caused avalanche activity,” says Bender. “And I can foresee that continuing in the next few days here, even with good weather in the forecast.”

The following regions are included in the warning:

– Kootenay-Boundary

– South Columbia

– North Columbia

– Purcells

– Cariboos

– North Rockies

– South Rockies

– Lizard Range-Flathead

– Banff National Park

– Yoho National Park

– Glacier National Park

– Waterton Lakes National Park

– Kananaskis Country

People are encouraged to plan ahead and research routes to know where to avoid, and bring essential rescue gear, including a transceiver, probe and shovel, and the knowledge to use it. Regional avalanche forecasts can be checked at www.avalanche.ca.