Avalanche Safety Plan

Motorists and highway maintenance workers need a safe provincial transportation system during the winter months. We begin regularly assessing avalanche hazard in the mountain snowpack from November through May in British Columbia.

We partner with highway maintenance contractors in order to:

• Ensure the safety of all highway users
• Minimize the frequency and duration of avalanche related road closures

Avalanche Safety Plan

The avalanche safety plan provides an established set of practices related to working in highway operations and maintenance in avalanche terrain.

• Read the Avalanche Safety Plan (PDF, 2MB, Updated February 6, 2026)

Avalanche Areas and Maps

• Listing of Avalanche Area Codes Atlases and Maps (PDF, 28.5KB)
• Listing of Avalanche Area Maps by Program (PDF, 11.2MB)

Operational Objectives

• District of Stewart - Mount Rainey Avalanche Program - Avalanche Safety Recommendations (PDF, 4MB)
• Threshold Guidelines for Avalanche Safety Measures - January 2026 (PDF, 365KB)

Winter Maintenance Specifications

• Maintenance Specifications - See Schedule 1 Section 3 - Winter Maintenance
  • 3.04 - Snow Avalanche Response (PDF, 1MB)
• Snow Avalanche for Safety Measure for Highways Maintenance - January 2026 (PDF, 1MB)

Job Descriptions

• District Avalanche Technician (PDF)
• District Avalanche Supervisor (PDF)
• District Avalanche Assistant (PDF)
• Senior Avalanche Officer (PDF)

Avalanche on Highway - Avalanche Search & Rescue

• Backcountry Avalanche Risk Assessment Protocol - February 2026 (PDF, 299KB)
• Avalanche Search and Rescue Plans
  • Highway Avalanche Incident Response Plans
    • Incident Commander (PDF)
    • Task Force Team Leader (PDF)
  • Incident Response Resource List with ALL MAPS - Template (PDF, 1.7MB)
  • Fieldwork Incident Response Plan (PDF)
  • Initial Response Section (PDF)
  • Vehicle Inserts (PDF)