January through March is a time of increased avalanche activity across B.C.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure provides a province-wide avalanche safety and protection program to increase the safety of those who travel on our highways.
Motorists should watch for “avalanche area — do not stop” signs, as this will alert them that they are driving within a designated avalanche area. All exit points of avalanche areas are identified with an “end avalanche area” sign.
When avalanches are likely to threaten highway locations, there may be temporary road closures while ministry avalanche technicians conduct explosive control missions to stabilize slopes. Most closures last two to four hours. Longer closures may be needed during extended storm periods but in many cases detours are possible. Motorists heading up mountain passes should check www.drivebc.ca for road conditions and possible closure and alternate route information.
The ministry’s avalanche program manages more than 60 avalanche areas that include more than 1,300 individual paths. The ministry employs a crew of highly trained avalanche professionals who monitor weather and snowpack conditions continuously during the avalanche season. Every precaution is taken to ensure safety from avalanches for motorists on the highway.
Avalanche technicians gather current weather information from both road level and high elevation electronic weather stations and have access to snow and avalanche occurrence information throughout the province. This information, combined with extensive local knowledge, ensures that highways are closed when they need to be and open when they are safe.
Most avalanche related road closures can be anticipated and announced on the DriveBC website but unexpected changes in weather and snowpack conditions may prompt a closure. The length of a closure is subject to the severity of conditions; however, extended closures are infrequent.
During winter weather, plan extra travel time, drive according to the conditions and “know before you go” by checking DriveBC before leaving on a trip. You can follow DriveBC and TranBC on Twitter and get up-to-date information on your desktop or your mobile phone.