Avalanche risk prompts highway closures along Highway 1

A high risk of avalanche in much of Western Canada has prompted road closures along Highway 1 in B.C. and warnings for regions across the province. 

As of Wednesday at noon, the Trans Canada Highway is closed between Revelstoke and one kilometre east of Golden. No detours are available, and the road is not expected to re-open until Thursday at noon according to DriveBC.  

Avalanche control work is also planned for Thursday afternoon in Field, and Highway 1 in that area will be closed. 

Avalanche forecaster Tyson Rettie said new precipitation is falling on a "tricky" snowpack.

"When you see high danger, that's when we're expecting large avalanches running full path, that type of thing," he said.

"You're almost certain of humans triggering of avalanches."

He said any time the avalanche danger is listed as high, people are advised to avoid avalanche terrain. 

Rain in January followed by more rain and snow in February have created a weak layer in the top metre of the snowpack, which Rettie said is particularly concerning. 

"It's a crust with facets over it that was buried in early February and this produced some very spooky human and remotely triggered avalanches."

As a coastal storm makes its way through B.C.'s Interior, more snow is expected to fall on mountains, which means avalanche danger is likely to remain high, Rettie said. Snowfall, winter storm and rainfall warnings are in place throughout the province.

Avalanche Canada is advising people to avoid avalanche terrain altogether, and suggests that anyone planning to use B.C.'s backcountry in the winter take an avalanche skills training course, have proper gear and know the forecast for the area they plan to visit.