

Canada: Polar Vortex in the East, High Avalanche Risk in West
Western Canada is currently seeing some of the greatest avalanche danger in 10 or perhaps 20 years, while Quebec in the East is being impacted by a “Polar Vortex” which has led some ski areas to decide to shut down for the next 3-4 days as a forecasted temperature drop, potentially to as low as -60C, has left centres concerned about lift failure and fast frost bite danger. Over on the West Coast avalanche danger is at a 10, perhaps 20 year high in BC. Where there have already been five deaths in the back country this year and Avalanche Canada are warning skiers and boarders to keep away from steeper terrain. This year’s snowpack is being compared to 2003,