Avalanche risk in B.C. backcountry high, people warned of dangerous conditions

You’re being warned about dangerous conditions in the B.C. backcountry, with Avalanche Canada raising its ratings to “high” heading into the week.

“Dangerous avalanche conditions and an unpredictable persistent weak layer demand a conservative approach to risk management,” the agency says.

The ratings are high for the South Coast, South Coast Inland, and Sea to Sky regions for Monday and into Tuesday.

The warnings cover most of the alpine, treeline, and below treeline areas.

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• Avalanche danger on Grouse Mountain leads to trail closures

• Stay out of backcountry if you are inexperienced, say rescuers

Avalanche danger already forced the closure of some trails on the North Shore, with Grouse preemptively shutting down showshoeing paths due to the risk.

Snow school lessons were also postponed Sunday because of concerns.

People who are planning to head outdoors this week are being urged to check conditions ahead of time. Avalanche Canada recommends people stick to “simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard” amid the risk of slides.

It is also urging people to “be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers,” and to be especially careful “near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.”