Avalanche Warning Issued for Yoho, Kootenay Amid ‘Highly Volatile’ Snowpack

Avalanche Canada is urging extreme caution across much of British Columbia and Alberta’s mountain parks this weekend as unstable snowpack conditions have created a "highly volatile" avalanche risk.

In a special public warning issued Thursday, the agency said several large avalanches have occurred in recent weeks, including two fatal slides, and the threat remains elevated.

"The snowpack remains primed for human-triggering," the bulletin states.

The warning applies to:

• Yoho and Kootenay National Parks in B.C.

• Banff and Jasper National Parks

• Kananaskis Country in Alberta

The agency says weak layers in the snowpack — buried under as much as 90 cm of new snow — are responsible for the heightened danger. And with more snowfall on the way, the risk of a human-triggered avalanche remains high even as natural slide activity begins to taper off.

"The storm snow is perpetuating an unstable and highly volatile situation,” Avalanche Canada said.

B.C.'s West Coast Also on High Alert

A danger rating of level four out of five — considered “high” — is in effect across large portions of B.C.'s west coast, including:

• The Sea to Sky region (Whistler, Squamish, Fraser Valley)

• Coast Mountains

• E.C. Manning Park

• West coast of Vancouver Island

• Stewart area in B.C.'s north coast

In the Kootenay region, the avalanche danger is currently rated level three ("considerable").

Avalanche Canada warns that avalanches may be triggered from a distance, and both warming, sunny weather and additional storm systems can increase the chances of slides. The agency is advising backcountry users to stick to low-angle terrain without overhead hazards.

Snowfall Warnings Add to the Risk

Environment Canada has also issued snowfall warnings for key highway routes in southern B.C., including:

• Coquihalla Highway (Hope to Merritt)

• Highway 3 (Hope to Princeton)

As much as 20 to 30 cm of snow is expected in these areas before conditions ease Friday night.

A special weather statement is also in effect for Highway 3 between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass, where significant snow accumulation is forecast through Friday evening.

Environment Canada reminds travellers that mountain weather can change suddenly, and urges anyone on the roads to check for updated conditions via DriveBC.ca.

Backcountry Warning

Avalanche Canada is reminding skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers that conditions in many areas are currently too dangerous for travel in avalanche terrain.

• Check the latest avalanche forecasts at avalanche.ca

• Always carry avalanche safety gear: transceiver, probe, and shovel

• Travel with a partner and take Avalanche Skills Training (AST) before heading out

"This is not the weekend to push into aggressive terrain," the agency warned.