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 October 27, 2022)

l - Introduction & Geographic Description

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

* NOTE Appendix I is not intended to be published in full for distribution with the Avalanche Safety Plan. Individual avalanche atlases and maps should be printed as needed for operational reference.

ll - Operational Objectives

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

Winter Maintenance Specifications for 3.04 (2018)

• Maintenance Specifications - See Schedule 1 Section 6 - Snow Avalanche Response
• Snow Avalanche for Safety Measure for Highways Maintenance (PDF, 1MB, Updated October 27, 2022)

Winter Maintenance Specifications for 7-790 (2015)

• Maintenance Specifications Chapter 7-790 Snow Avalanche Response (PDF, 280KB) *
• Snow Avalanche Safety Measures for Highways Manual (PDF, 1MB)

* NOTE: This is an excerpt from the complete Highway Maintenance Specification and so is subject to change. Please refer to that for the most up to date information.

lll - Personnel

• Memorandum Re: Ministry Avalanche and Weather Programs Overview (PDF, 1MB)

Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Job Descriptions

• District Avalanche Technician (PDF)
• District Avalanche Supervisor (PDF)
• Senior Manager, Avalanche and Weather Programs (PDF)
• Senior Avalanche Officer (PDF)
• District Avalanche Assistant (PDF)
• Weather and Climate Specialist (PDF)
• Weather Network Program Manager (PDF)
• Central Avalanche Program & Weather Network Program Construction and Installation Supervisor (PDF)

IV - Operation Procedures

• Form H-664 Avalanche Occurrence Report
• Avalanche Phrases for DriveBC Postings (PDF)
• Guidelines for Conducting Avalanche Program Reviews (PDF)
• Outline for Avalanche Program Annual Reports (PDF, 1.5MB)

V - Avalanche on Highway - Avalanche Search & Rescue

• Backcountry Avalanche Risk Assessment Protocol (PDF)
• 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)

VI - Incident Review 

• Policy 1.4.1 Incident Reporting (PDF)
• Policy 1.4.2 Incident Investigation (PDF)

VII - Fieldwork Sites & Working Alone or in Isolation

• Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (PDF)
• Check-in Procedures (PDF)
• Fieldwork Atlas Format (PDF)
• Fieldwork Pre-Trip Plan (PDF)
• Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Mountain Travel Matrix (PDF)
• Technical Circular T-11/99 Check-in policy, procedures and identification of commonly used back country ski routes (PDF)

VIII - Explosives

• Explosive Spill on Highway - Emergency Response Assistance Plan 2-0804 (PDF, 4.2MB, Updated March 4, 2022)
• Explosive Use Operational Plan (PDF, 4.5 MB, Updated April 21, 2022)