Avalanche

Shuswap Search and Rescue volunteers practise their avalanche rescue skills in January 2023. (Shuswap Search and Rescue- Facebook)

Shuswap Search and Rescue takes avalanche training to better respond to crisis

Members work to better recognize avalanche terrain for safe, quick rescue

 

Backcountry skiers are dwarfed by the mountains as they make their way along a mountain ridge near McGillivray Pass Lodge located in the southern Chilcotin Mountains of British Columbia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. Five people have been killed in British Columbia avalanches this month. Forecasters have compared this season’s snowpack with the conditions of 2003, one of the worst years on record for fatalities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A timeline of the avalanche hazard in B.C., where five people are dead

Forecasters are saying 2023 has the most dangerous conditions since 2003

 

Ken Wylie is a survivor of a deadly avalanche in the Selkirk Mountains in 2003, as seen in this handout photo received Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. He is warning others to be cautious as the snowpack is now in similar conditions 20 years later. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ken Wylie

Resist urge to ‘tickle’ the snowpack as slide risk increases, avalanche survivor says

Five people have died in three B.C. avalanches so far this January

 

An avalanche near Cherryville sent one person to hospital Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (File photo)

Avalanche near Cherryville sends one to hospital

The incident came the same day two heli-skiers were killed in an avalanche near Revelstoke

An avalanche near Cherryville sent one person to hospital Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (File photo)
A photo from Avalanche Canada shows the snowpack conditions near Valemount, B.C. on Jan. 21, when two snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche. One of them died. (Avalanche Canada/Twitter)

1 snowmobiler dead in avalanche near Valemount, B.C.

Second snowmobiler managed to get away Saturday

A photo from Avalanche Canada shows the snowpack conditions near Valemount, B.C. on Jan. 21, when two snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche. One of them died. (Avalanche Canada/Twitter)
Marty Schaffer leads a group in the backcountry. (Max Vidricaire)

How the snowpack in Revelstoke’s backcountry is affecting business

CAPOW is a backcountry guiding service that operates southwest of Revelstoke

Marty Schaffer leads a group in the backcountry. (Max Vidricaire)
From Nelson to Valemount, the risk of avalanche is high. (File photo)

UPDATE: Dangerous avalanche around Revelstoke due to unpredictable snowpack

With user-submitted data and meteorological analysis, Avalanche Canada report dangerous snowpack

From Nelson to Valemount, the risk of avalanche is high. (File photo)
Several areas of SilverStar Mountain Resort have been closed due to avalanche concerns and trees snapping under heavy snow. (Resort photo)

Runs closed at Vernon ski hill due to avalanche risk

Trees are also bending and snapping under wet, heavy snow

Several areas of SilverStar Mountain Resort have been closed due to avalanche concerns and trees snapping under heavy snow. (Resort photo)
Flood watches are up for several regions of Vancouver Island and the inner south coast as another day of heavy rain, combined with snowmelt and a leap in freezing levels, could push some southwestern British Columbia waterways over their banks. People walk along the seawall as rain falls in downtown Vancouver, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rain, unseasonable warmth, unstable snowpack, raise flood, avalanche concerns in B.C.

Some south coast rivers and streams could exceed levels seen only every five years

Flood watches are up for several regions of Vancouver Island and the inner south coast as another day of heavy rain, combined with snowmelt and a leap in freezing levels, could push some southwestern British Columbia waterways over their banks. People walk along the seawall as rain falls in downtown Vancouver, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Emahlee Cobman/Facebook)

Kelowna Mounties pay tribute to Nelson officer who died in avalanche

Emergency services stop along Hwy. 33

(Emahlee Cobman/Facebook)
An Avalanche Canada forecaster is warning of deeply buried weak layers of snow in many of B.C.’s snow packs, greatly heightening the risk of avalanches. (Credit: Jen Coulter)

B.C.’s avalanche conditions highly risky, haven’t been seen in 2 decades

Early winter cold and dry spells created deeply buried weak layers of snow, say forecasters

An Avalanche Canada forecaster is warning of deeply buried weak layers of snow in many of B.C.’s snow packs, greatly heightening the risk of avalanches. (Credit: Jen Coulter)
Highway 1, about 46 km east of Revelstoke, looking east. (DriveBC)

Avalanche control closes Highway 1 east of Revelstoke

No detour is available at this time

Highway 1, about 46 km east of Revelstoke, looking east. (DriveBC)
Highway 1 is closed from Revelstoke to Golden due to avalanche hazards. (DriveBC)

Highway 1 closed from Revelstoke and Golden due to avalanche hazard

The highway will be closed until at least 9 p.m.

Highway 1 is closed from Revelstoke to Golden due to avalanche hazards. (DriveBC)
Closures of up to 1.5 hours on Highway 1 in Rogers Pass. (DriveBC)

Update: Highway 1 closure at Rogers Pass east of Revelstoke is reopened

Individual closures of up to 1.5 hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Closures of up to 1.5 hours on Highway 1 in Rogers Pass. (DriveBC)
Highway 1, near Parks Headquarters at Glacier National Park, 72 km east of Revelstoke, looking east. (DriveBC)

Avalanche control work to close Highway 1 between Revelstoke and Golden

No detour will be available

Highway 1, near Parks Headquarters at Glacier National Park, 72 km east of Revelstoke, looking east. (DriveBC)
Tourists pose for photos at the base of Whistler Mountain in Whistler, B.C. Sunday, March 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Skier dies in an inbounds avalanche at Whistler

The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, April 5

Tourists pose for photos at the base of Whistler Mountain in Whistler, B.C. Sunday, March 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Avalanche Canada warns of risks on B.C. South Coast following storm

Warning covers alpine, treeline and below-treeline sections on south coast mountains

(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Map of affected area. (DriveBC)

Planned avalanche control work west of Revelstoke, highway will be closed

Road will be closed for two hours

Map of affected area. (DriveBC)
A map of the affected regions including Sea to Sky, South Coast Inland, Cariboos, North and South Columbias, Kootenay-Boundary, Purcells, and Jasper and Glacier National Parks. (Contributed by Avalanche Canada)

Avalanche Canada issues special warning for B.C. and Alberta

Warning is in effect immediately and will apply through Sunday, Feb. 13 for various regions

A map of the affected regions including Sea to Sky, South Coast Inland, Cariboos, North and South Columbias, Kootenay-Boundary, Purcells, and Jasper and Glacier National Parks. (Contributed by Avalanche Canada)
(Black Press Media files)

1 dead, 2 left with serious injuries after series of avalanches near Pemberton, Whistler

Avalanche risk in the Sea to Sky region is high, RCMP say

(Black Press Media files)