Heavy snow turns wet, closing highway through Rogers Pass, Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Rain closes the Trans-Canada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden and Revelstoke Mountain Resort due to avalanche risk and operations on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021.

By
Aaron Orlando
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A tree stem downed on Mackenzie Avenue in Revelstoke by wet, heavy snow on Nov. 28, 2021. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

The atmospheric river sweeping over southern B.C. has led to the closure of Revelstoke Mountain Resort and the Trans-Canada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden after heavy snow starting late Nov. 27 turned into rain overnight.

Snow removal crews at work on Airport Way near the Illecillewaet River on Nov. 28, 2021. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

Trans-Canada Highway closed between Revelstoke and Golden

The Trans-Canada Highway was scheduled for avalanche control in Rogers Pass starting early this morning with intermittent closures today. However, that has changed to a full closure between Revelstoke and Golden with an update scheduled for 12:45 p.m.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort closed Nov. 28

Slushy conditions at the base of Revelstoke Mountain Resort on Nov. 28. The resort was closed for skiing due to wet conditions and high avalanche risk. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

Revelstoke Mountain Resort is closed due to extreme avalanche danger on Nov. 28. Resort lift attendants said there had been rain to the top of the Stoke chair. Resort staff initially delayed opening to later in the morning but then opted to close the resort on Nov. 28. The resort say 29 centimetres of snow overnight.

Saturday snowstorm turns to Sunday rain

Around town, there roads are mucky and wet with snow removal crews working to clear the snow and slush covering town.

The main arteries are passable but there are still windrows on the smaller streets and vehicles with low clearance risk getting high-centred on the heavy snow.

More to come

Environment Canada has warned of more atmospheric river events in the near-term forecast. The system brings warm, wet air from the middle of the Pacific to B.C.

Another atmospheric river is set to hit B.C. starting on Tuesday.

Avalanche risk is high

The avalanche danger rating for the North Columbia and Glacier National Park is listed as “high” for all levels of the mountain from alpine to below treeline.

 

Warming temperatures and new, heavy, wet snow and rain on the top layer are both red flags for avalanche danger. As the Parks Canada avalanche bulletin for Glacier National Parks states, “Avoid avalanche terrain for the time being as the snowpack adjusts to the additional load. It would be a good time to check out the recently opened ski resorts!”

Aaron Orlando
Aaron Orlando is a Revelstoke-based journalist who serves as creative director of revelstokemountaineer.com and Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine. He's been on the news beat in Revelstoke for the past 14 years, serving in senior editorial roles. If you have aaron@revelstokemountaineer.com or call/text him at 250-814-8710.