BANFF – Avalanche Canada is warning backcountry enthusiasts to ski at resorts and avoid backcountry terrain as a winter storm wallops the mountains.
The avalanche danger ratings for Thursday (Jan. 3) were "high" for all elevation levels and will increase to "extreme" in the alpine by Friday (Jan. 4).
Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for all of the mountain national parks with up to 30 cm of snow expected in Banff National Park, including along the Icefields Parkway.
The heaviest snow is expected to fall today and into the overnight period with conditions improving on Friday.
Parks Canada closed the Icefields Parkway from the Saskatchewan River Crossing to Athabasca Falls for avalanche control. The highway isn't expected to reopen until Friday (Jan. 4) in the evening.
Alberta 511 is also recommending that drivers avoid Highway 93 south due to poor driving conditions.
Rogers Pass is also closed from Golden to Revelstoke for avalanche control. The road isn't expected to reopen until 8 p.m. on Thursday (Jan. 3).
Sections of Highway 1 from Lake Louise to Field will also be temporarily closed for avalanche control throughout the day on Thursday (Jan. 3).
