Spring, Icy Snow Bring Danger to BC Backcountry, Outdoor Experts Say

Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen with the north shore mountains in the distance after 21 centimetres of snow fell overnight, in Vancouver, on Dec. 30, 2021. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Spring is a dangerous time to head into British Columbia’s backcountry, outdoor experts warn, as sun and warm daytime temperatures melt snowpack that can become hard and treacherously slippery as it freezes again overnight.

Doug Pope, search manager with North Shore Rescue based in North Vancouver, B.C., said spring is “probably the most dangerous time of year” in the mountains.