NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. — The risk of avalanches across B.C. has forced highway closures and triggered warnings to people thinking of heading into the backcounty.
A dump of heavy, wet snow on top of a weak snowpack has created a high risk of avalanches from the North Columbia all the way down to the Kootenay Boundary region.
The danger also covers the entire south coast, including the North Shore and Whistler-Blackcomb, and coastal and inland sections of the Northwest.
The risk is also considerable on some slopes below the treeline — where the chance of an avalanche is usually lower — prompting Tim Jones of North Shore Search and Rescue in North Vancouver to advise everyone to stay out of B.C.’s backcountry until the danger passes
Meanwhile the Trans Canada Highway from Revelstoke to Golden is closed for avalanche control, while similar closures are also in effect for Highways 3 and 23.
Motorists are urged to check with the Drive B.C. website before setting out and to be prepared for possible weather-related delays or detours.