Heavy Sea-to-Sky traffic expected this week due to Pemberton festival

The B.C. Transportation Ministry is expecting especially heavy volumes this weekend on the Sea-to-Sky highway as music fans make their way north from Vancouver to the Pemberton Music Festival.

The festival runs from Thursday, July 14, through Sunday, July 17. The government says no road closures are planned during that period, but advises drivers to plan their trip in advance and drive with extra caution.

The festival's website provides information on alternative ways of getting to the festival, including shuttle buses and ride sharing.

Pemberton is about 150 kilometres north of Vancouver — about a half hour past Whistler.— slightly more than a two-hour drive under normal conditions, 

This is the festival's third year in its current incarnation. It was nearly cancelled last year due to nearby forest fires. In 2014, a Saskatchewan man was found dead in his tent. 

Last year's event drew more than 115,000 fans and featured nearly 120 performances over the festival's four days according to organizers. 

This year's festival includes more than 90 music and comedy performances spread across four stages including Seattle grunge kings Pearl Jam, South African rap-ravers Die Antwoord and former N.W.A member Ice Cube.