© MOUNTWASHINGTON.CAMount Washington Alpine Resort webcam image from Monday, Feb. 23. The heavy snowfall forced the resort to temporarily suspend ski operations on Sunday morning. About 108 centimetres of new snow fell on the ski hill over 48 hours, creating “safety concerns,” according to the resort.
Avalanche Canada said snow sliding was at its highest danger level on Monday and could remain there through the week, depending on conditions.
The warning was issued for the mountain terrain from Lake Cowichan to Port McNeill. Several natural and skier-induced slides have already been reported in Strathcona Provincial Park.
Avalanche Canada forecaster Martina Halik said the new snow is burying a widespread hoar frost layer, creating "touchy avalanche conditions."
She said the fine crystallized hoar frost layer isn't immediately bonding with the new snow and can break under the load of heavy snowfall, creating a high hazard.
"That's the biggest problem right now," Halik said Monday. "This slab of storm snow on top of these feathery crystals creates persistent problems. We'll have to see what happens with this layer, but it's definitely going to take a few days to get it to bond.
"Right now, it's making conditions very touchy, very reactive. We're expecting widespread avalanches, and very large avalanches."
Halik said people should listen and watch for warning signs, and should back off if they encounter "whumpfing," a muffled sound when the snow is moving, or hollow sounds or shooting cracks. They should also think carefully about an exit plan from the area.
Halik is hoping everybody stays out of the backcountry while the warning is at its highest.
But she also realizes many people enjoy the fresh-snow experience.
Avalanche Canada issues warnings for all public lands in the province, while ski hills issue their own warnings and avalanche controls.
"There are lots of people who get out all over the Island doing all sorts of activities," said Halik. "There's a pretty big snowmobile culture. There are a lot of backcountry skiers and splitboarders. Some people enjoy snowshoeing, and you have your mountaineers. There's a pretty robust population of people who like to recreate in the back country on Vancouver Island."
Avalanche Canada is also warning people to take the right equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, airbags, a pole probe and a shovel.
The heavy snowfall forced Mount Washington Alpine Resort near Courtenay to temporarily suspend ski operations on Sunday morning. About 108 centimetres of new snow fell on the ski hill over 48 hours, creating "safety concerns," according to the resort.
High winds, blowing snow and low visibility created hazardous conditions across the mountain, and the resort flagged a high avalanche risk for some terrain.
On Monday morning, the mountain reported less stormy conditions, and the Hawk and Whiskey Jack chairlifts were open. Teams were completing avalanche-control work on the Eagle chair for a possible opening later in the day.
Mountain officials warned that parking was a problem on the mountain due to the heavy snow, and plowing operations were continuing. Several stuck vehicles were left overnight, hampering snow-clearing efforts.
"With the new snow, slope conditions are wind-blown and remain variable, so please ski and ride with caution, please head out with a buddy and a safety plan, and never duck ropes or enter closed terrain," Mount Washington said in an operational update Monday.
"Our patrol team greatly appreciates your cooperation, especially after car-burying storms like this."
This is the least snow and rain B.C. has had in years. Hope spring brings snow and rain, before the +40 degree summer hits.