Parks Canada is urging backcountry users to prioritize safety and follow closure regulations in Glacier National Park after issuing fines to multiple individuals who entered a restricted area. The enforcement action comes amid fluctuating avalanche conditions common during the spring season.
The federal agency confirmed via a social media post that at least two winter permit holders were charged for accessing a closed section of the park.
The incidents occurred in Glacier’s backcountry terrain, an area known for avalanche risk as snowpack stability shifts with seasonal weather changes.
“Terrain is closed for a reason, and breaking the rules comes with consequences,” Parks Canada stated. “Don’t make assumptions, and avoid target fixation on specific routes or objectives.”
Last February, Parks Canada implemented temporary closures in the same area for several weeks after a visitor ventured into a prohibited zone. The incident prompted heightened monitoring and renewed warnings about avalanche safety.
Glacier National Park, located along the Trans-Canada Highway, routinely opens backcountry areas to the public in winter. However, these areas are subject to closure without notice for avalanche control operations, which aim to protect highway travelers and park visitors.
The agency noted that while winter permit areas may remain accessible for several days of sunny and warm conditions, closures can still occur due to sudden shifts in snow stability.
Parks Canada emphasized that changing temperatures can impact deeper layers of the snowpack, increasing the risk of slides.
“Avalanche terrain can lose stability unpredictably as warming temperatures reach deeper into the snowpack,” the post reads, as reported by The Abbotsford News on April 11. “While it may seem random, the avalanche control team is closely monitoring the snowpack.”