Avalanche risk 'extreme' for parts of B.C. coast

FILE: Snow covered trees are seen on the North Shore mountains on Dec. 28, 2020. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The avalanche danger rating for mountains on B.C.’s South Coast was “extreme” on Boxing Day, according to Canada’s non-profit forecaster.

The regions with the highest rating on Avalanche Canada’s 5-point scale include the North Shore—containing Grouse, Cypress and Seymour mountains—northern Fraser Valley and the Sunshine Coast.

Avalanche Canada said the storms that hit coastal B.C. over Christmas, which led to treacherous driving conditions, ferry cancellations and power outages, have created prime conditions for avalanches on mountains in the area.

“We expect that widespread, large, natural and human-triggered avalanches will be very likely throughout the storm,” the current forecast reads. “Travel in avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow and wind are strongly not recommended.”

The forecast predicts the avalanche risk to decrease to “considerable” into the weekend.

Meanwhile, avalanche danger is “high” north of Metro Vancouver in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, as well as Vancouver Island. The rating is “moderate” to considerate” in B.C.’s Interior.

On Monday, five people were rescued from a backcountry avalanche on Ipsoot Mountain near Pemberton. Four people were completely buried and the fifth partially, but all made it off the mountain alive in stable condition.