UPDATE (March 26, 12 p.m.): The Icefields Parkway will reopen on Thursday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
The Icefields Parkway (Hwy93N) remains closed until further notice after a series of large avalanches brought down by Parks Canada public safety technicians buried the road in several places.
Banff National Park says that on Saturday, March 21, a size four avalanche on 3,394-metre Mount Hector ran historically large, depositing enough snow to cover a 250 metre stretch of roadway, in some places up to six metres deep.
“Avalanche control is conducted every winter on Mt Hector, however this is the first time to Parks Canada’s knowledge that the slide has reached the road twice in the same season,” the public message reads.
The Icefields Parkway is currently closed at both the Lake Louise (south) and the Jasper (north) ends. The north end, from Jasper to Saskatchewan Crossing, is anticipated to open earlier than the south end.
No anticipated opening date has been provided at this time (Sunday, March 22).
Parks Canada has said the Icefields Parkway could be closed until Saturday, March 28.
UPDATE: The road is open as of March 26 at 2 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information, check 511Alberta.
Jasper Local staff // info@thejasperlocal.com
