Prince George, B.C.- Heading into March break,  an advisory from the Canadian Avalanche Centre that  those  who plan to  head to the  back country make “cautious and conservative decisions” while in avalanche terrain.

Most of the regions in B.C.  have been listed as  being at  “considerable”, or “high” risk of avalanche.

There have been four avalanche fatalities in less than a week.

 “We’ve been dealt a pretty troublesome snowpack this season and our terrain choices need to reflect that fact,” explains Karl Klassen, Manager of the CAC’s Public Avalanche Warning Service. “The weak layers we’ve been tracking for many weeks remain a significant problem and areas where you might have felt safe in previous seasons may not be the best choices this winter.”

Two of the recent fatal snowmobile accidents occurred in cut-blocks—areas below treeline cleared by logging companies. “Often, riding below treeline can be a safer choice in terms of avalanche danger,” explains Klassen. “But with the current warm temperatures and wet snow at low elevations, that’s not the case at this time. Riders need to be wary of avalanche terrain even near valley bottom, at least until a solid freeze occurs.”

Until conditions improve, the CAC recommends travelling on small, simple, low-angle terrain with no terrain traps. Exposure to large slopes and cornices above should also be avoided whenever possible.

Klassen  is also calling on  all backcountry users to ensure they are not only carrying the necessary safety equipment , but  that they know how to use that equipment, “Everyone in the party needs an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel every day, regardless of expected conditions. And it’s equally vital that everyone is familiar with and  has practiced using this equipment. If an avalanche occurs, there is no time to go for help.” The critical window for finding and extricating a victim is just 10 minutes, when there is an 80% chance of survival. The odds drop dramatically after that. At just 35 minutes, that chance of survival   drops below 10% .