Avalanche
After issuing warnings that Banff Sunshine, Alberta, may have to remain closed on Friday, Parks Canada lifted the road closure on the Sunshine Access Road following successful avalanche control work early Friday morning. Avalanche Canada currently rates the danger as ‘Extreme,’ or the highest level of danger. People are encouraged to stay out of the backcountry and prepare for road closures if crews deem additional control work necessary, or in the event that avalanches block roadways.
An atmospheric river has been delivering copious amounts of moisture to the region, adding a huge weight to an unstable snowpack that has a combination of facets and buried surface hoar lurking beneath the snow surface. Since the start of the storm up to two feet of snow has fallen at upper elevations, with winds in the 35-60 miles per hour range. Multiple natural avalanches have been observed to run much larger than they typically do, with some reaching the bottom of the valley.
Avalanche danger remains ‘High’ in many areas surrounding Banff but Avalanche Canada is currently forecasting decreasing danger through the weekend. Forecasters reiterated that this is the largest avalanche cycle of the season, and backcountry travel is not recommended at all. Luckily, through the hard work of road crews at Parks Canada, the road to Sunshine was able to open, and Sunshine is planning normal operations through the weekend. The Trans-Canada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden, Highway 93, and other roadways could remain closed for much longer, as the storm progresses.
