Major highways on Alberta-B.C. border remain closed

Crews continue to be hard at work to re-open large portions of major highways connecting Alberta and British Colombia.

Poor driving conditions and extreme risk of more avalanches have closed areas of the Trans-Canada and Highway 93.

Just before 5:00p.m. on Monday, Parks Canada issued the following updates:

– The Trans-Canada has now fully re-opened from Golden to Revelstoke.

– Highway 93, from the Castle Mountain Junction south to Radium, in both directions is still closed due to avalanche hazards. It may re-open Tuesday afternoon.

– Highway 93 from Jasper to the Saskatchewan River Crossing is open, but in poor winter driving condition.

– Highway 93, between Lake Louise and the Saskatchewan River Crossing, remains closed until Tuesday morning at the earliest.

– Highway #1 has re-opened from Lake Louise to West Louise Lodge, through the highway remains closed to Field.

The extreme risk of more avalanches has closed the TransCanada Highway in the high mountain pass west of Lake Louise until at least Wednesday. The Alberta Motor Association advises Highway 1 from Lake Louise West Lodge to the west boundary of Yoho National Park will stay closed until at least Jan. 19.

A wide range of Parks Canada staff are working around the clock to re-open the highways. Officials say the amount of snow they have received over the last few days, coupled with avalanche conditions, has created very unusual and unpredictable snow conditions throughout the mountains, the likes of which are seen only every 10 to 30 years.

Parks Canada has issued a warning to the public to avoid areas where the avalanche danger is rated high or extreme. In these areas, travellers should restrict travel to simple terrain or stay within the boundaries of the ski resort.

The Parks Canada warning covers the east and west sides of the Continental Divide, from the Wapta Icefields area in the north to the Sunshine area in the south. It also includes the Main Range area from Lake Louise to the Bow Summit.

Drivers needing to get from B.C. to Alberta may use Highway #3 and the Crowsnest Highway. Updates can be found on both the AMA’s website or DriveBC.ca.