Avalanche risk climbs to extreme on some B.C. mountains as storm hits province

VANCOUVER – The organization that monitors avalanche risk across much of British Columbia has issued an uncommon "extreme" warning for many slopes in the Sea-to-Sky region just north of Vancouver.

Avalanche Canada says in a statement that it "rarely sees" extreme avalanche danger and its website indicates large avalanches are "almost certain" on alpine and treeline sections of slopes in the region that includes Whistler and Garibaldi Provincial Park.

The website says between 40 centimetres and a metre of new snow, coupled with strong wind and warming temperatures will "cause a natural avalanche cycle."

The risk level is rated as high below the treeline, meaning very dangerous avalanche conditions exist and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Those risks are expected to remain for the Sea-to-Sky mountains through Saturday and Avalanche Canada says high risk ratings were also in effect Friday for several mountain ranges from the northwest coast to the Alberta boundary.

Two 21-year-old Alaska men died Monday when they were hit by an avalanche while snowboarding with a friend in Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in the far northwestern corner of B.C.

For the latest on avalanche danger throughout the province go the Avalanche Canada's website here.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.