Avalanche

Avalanche Canada advises outdoor adventurers to avoid steep elevation, in light of recent weather conditions, which are ideal for avalanches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Avalanche danger risk rated ‘considerable’ for Southern Interior

Storm slab and deep persistent slab avalanches are likely in Kootenay region

 

An avalanche hazard warning of “considerable” is shown near Mount Renshaw outside of McBride, B.C., on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. Avalanche Canada has released more details about the deadly avalanche that killed three German citizens in southeastern British Columbia last week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Avalanche Canada releases details on B.C. avalanche that killed 3 Germans

The avalanche was 300 metres in width and 75 centimetres thick

 

An image taken Saturday (March 4) at the Cayoosh Pass near Pemberton shows an avalanche that came down and buried one skier. They were dug out by companions and airlifted out. (Avalanche Canada)

UPDATE: 2 skiers recovered alive from separate weekend avalanches near Pemberton

Both men suffered ‘multiple traumas,’ had to be airlifted out

 

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. Three victims of Wednesday’s deadly avalanche in southeastern B.C. have been identified as German citizens. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Three men killed in southeast B.C. avalanche were from Germany: news agency

Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur says 1 from Munich, the others from nearby Eging

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. Three victims of Wednesday’s deadly avalanche in southeastern B.C. have been identified as German citizens. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Highway 1, 20 km west of Revelstoke, looking west. (DriveBC)

High avalanche risk closes Highway 1 between Revelstoke and Sicamous

An assessment is in progress

Highway 1, 20 km west of Revelstoke, looking west. (DriveBC)
(Screenshot/Google Maps)

UPDATE: Police confirm three skiers killed in southeast B.C. avalanche near Invermere

Panorama resort says incident was not within their boundary

(Screenshot/Google Maps)
A photo posted by Avalanche Canada shows Potato Peak, 40 kilometres south of Tatla Lake in central south British Columbia, where two skiers died in an avalanche on Saturday, Feb 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Avalanche Canada

Volunteer’s death spurs warnings that B.C.’s avalanche conditions are ‘unforgiving’

9 people have died so far this season in B.C.

A photo posted by Avalanche Canada shows Potato Peak, 40 kilometres south of Tatla Lake in central south British Columbia, where two skiers died in an avalanche on Saturday, Feb 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Avalanche Canada
Nine people have been killed in B.C. avalanches this season, including four since Feb. 11. Avalanche Canada has warned that this year’s snowpack is dangerous and difficult to forecast. (Photo by Ben Nearingburg)

‘Horrifically unforgiving’ risks: A timeline of avalanche deaths in B.C. for the 2022-2023 season

This year’s snowpack has indeed created dangerous conditions in the backcountry

Nine people have been killed in B.C. avalanches this season, including four since Feb. 11. Avalanche Canada has warned that this year’s snowpack is dangerous and difficult to forecast. (Photo by Ben Nearingburg)
Area showing the upper portion of the avalanche including the crown. (Avalanche Canada)

2 dead in avalanche triggered near Golden

A group of snowboarders triggered the avalanche in the Purcell Mountains

Area showing the upper portion of the avalanche including the crown. (Avalanche Canada)
A photo provided by Avalanche Canada shows the area near Tatla Lake, B.C. where two skiers were killed in an avalanche Feb. 11. (Avalanche Canada)

2 backcountry skiers killed in avalanche in B.C.’s Chilcotin

Both were fully buried near Tatla Lake on Saturday, says Avalanche Canada

A photo provided by Avalanche Canada shows the area near Tatla Lake, B.C. where two skiers were killed in an avalanche Feb. 11. (Avalanche Canada)
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

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
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

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
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)
From Nelson to Valemount, the risk of avalanche is high. (File photo)

Avalanche risk high around Revelstoke due to unpredictable snowpack

Buried weak layers mean large slabs of snow could break off at any moment, forecasters warn

From Nelson to Valemount, the risk of avalanche is high. (File 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)
(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 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)