Recent snowfall is making the Island backcountry an extremely alluring place for adventurers, however conditions can quickly turn hazardous. (AVCAN Vancouver Island/Avalanche Canada)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

tricky terrain

New Island snow creating ‘considerable’ avalanche risk throughout backcountry

Feb 7, 2025 | 12:24 PM

NANAIMO — A considerable dumping of snow across much of Vancouver Island over the last week has changed conditions in the backcountry considerably.

The latest forecasts from Avalanche Canada have danger ratings for the Island mountain range at a “considerable” risk for avalanche at both the alpine and treeline levels, while terrain below the treeline is listed as “moderate”.

Avalanche Canada forecaster Lynnea Baker said they expect “challenging avalanche conditions” over the weekend, as a result of heavy snow on somewhat unstable ground after a prolonged drought.

“Since then we’ve seen 30 to 60 centimetres of snow falling on the Island, covering those services and the new snow has not bonded well to the surfaces that it’s laying on, so that’s keeping our avalanche hazard up.”

Reports from riders over the last week mostly listed conditions as “amazing” or “good” in areas of northern Vancouver Island.

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One observation from AVCAN Vancouver Island, riding near Elk Creek, northwest of Courtenay, on Thursday, Feb. 6, said “progressively dense snow” is positioned atop “drought crust”.

“This crust varies in thickness from 1-10 centimetres, depending on aspects and elevation. Below the crust, 5 centimetres of large facets can be found. This layer produced moderate results in compression test. This buried weak layer may persists longer than problems typically do on the Island.”

Forecasted winds across Vancouver Island this weekend will change conditions again, according to Baker.

“With so much new snow available for transfer, that’s likely going to build new slabs in a lot of places and we are forecasting that we are going to see those avalanche conditions go back to considerable with new slab formation from winds.”

She suggested riders check Avalanche Canada bulletins before departing in the morning, with new information often added first thing.

Baker added people who head out need to be properly educated and equipped with items like a shovel, communications device, layered clothing and extra food and water.

Conditions can also vary wildly in different terrains and an apparent lack of naturally caused avalanches may not be a reliable indicator of an area’s safety.

“It means human triggered avalanches are “likely” even when natural avalanches are not likely anymore, so the chances are that even though you may not see naturals around, the weight of a rider may be able to trigger that weak layer and an avalanche.”

The latest Avalanche Canada forecasts are available on their website.

— with files from Bill Nation, 97.3 The Eagle

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