REVELSTOKE – A special avalanche warning from Friday to Monday has been issued for the North Columbia, South Columbia, Purcells and Kootenay Boundary areas.
“Recent new snow and wind have deposited up to a metre of new snow across these regions that overlays a weak layer,” explains James Floyer, Avalanche Canada’s Forecasting Program Supervisor. “We’ve seen this layer fail a number of times over the past few days, resulting in some close calls. Our concern is that as the sun comes out this weekend, this weak layer will become more easily triggered. And with the amount of snow that’s on top of it we could be seeing some very large and dangerous avalanches.”
Recreational back-country users area advised to avoid large slopes in the alpine and at tree line, especially slopes that have not already been heavily ridden.
Everyone should also have the necessary safety equipment, including avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels.
For up-to-date information, check the daily forecasts at http://www.avalanche.ca