Parks Canada implemented a full closure of the East Rogers area from November 6 to 8, 2025, while crews conducted a verification shoot on the 105-millimetre howitzers used for winter avalanche control in the pass.
The Canadian Armed Forces and Parks Canada fired a small number of test rounds to confirm that the artillery is accurately striking avalanche targets above the highway corridor. Rogers Pass has 270 predetermined targets across 135 avalanche paths, and the howitzers must hit them with precision to keep Highway 1 and the CP rail line safe throughout the winter. Verification shoots typically involve six to ten rounds from a single gun position.
Parks Canada stresses that this work protects transportation routes only. It does not make any surrounding slopes safe for skiing or riding. Backcountry users are urged to travel with proper avalanche training, safety gear, and the skills to assess and manage hazards on their own. All users must comply with the Winter Permit System, which outlines which areas are open, closed, or restricted due to ongoing avalanche-control operations.
Current maps, conditions, closures, and winter permit information are available at the Rogers Pass winter safety hub: parks.canada.ca/glacier/winter. For ski-touring details and route planning resources, visit: parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier/visit/hiver-winter/ski.
Remember, the Winter Permit System goes into effect TODAY, November 15.
NEW this season, EVERYONE needs a permit! To improve user understanding and increase compliance, winter permits are required for everyone accessing the backcountry in Rogers Pass, including unrestricted areas (e.g. Connaught Valley, Illecillewaet Valley).
• Take the quiz and get your Annual Winter Permit. Apply here: parks.canada.ca/skirogerspass
• Buy your National Park Pass in Revelstoke or the Rogers Pass Summit Station.
