Avalanche concerns close portion of Trans-Canada Highway in B.C. Interior

A webcam view of traffic along the Trans-Canada Highway at the intersection of Highway 23 near Revelstoke, B.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

A lengthy section of the Trans-Canada Highway in B.C.’s Interior is closed for avalanche concerns.

Due to a high avalanche hazard, the closure is from Revelstoke to Golden, a distance of 141.4 kilometres.

According to DriveBC, detours are not available, and the next estimated time of reopening is Thursday, Feb. 29, at noon.

On Tuesday night, a snowy cold front hit a large swath of B.C., with regions seeing varying amounts of snow.

Along the South Coast, 5 cm was recorded in Surrey, with Whistler seeing 29 cm. Heading inland, one Revelstoke resident said the city woke up to 20 cm of new snow on Wednesday morning, with Revelstoke Mountain Resort reporting 35 cm of new snow.

Currently, Environment Canada has published a winter storm warning for the area and a large portion of the Rocky Mountains.

Video: Heavy snow on Sea-to-Sky Highway causing major problems

“A frontal system moving across the region today is giving heavy snow to the area,” said the national weather agency.

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“Over 20 cm of snow near Revelstoke and up to 15 cm has been reported near Blue River since yesterday evening. The snow is expected to change to rain late this afternoon or early this evening over West Columbia.

“Snow will continue over North Columbia and Kinbasket (regions) tonight, except possibly mixed with rain this evening.”

Environment Canada says motorists should consider postponing travel until conditions improve.

In related news, the Kicking Horse Pass section of Highway 1, which is east of Golden, will undergo an avalanche control closure on Thursday, starting at noon PST.

For the latest highway conditions throughout the province, visit DriveBC.