Avalanche threat closes Trans-Canada Highway

The threat of avalanches has forced the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway in both directions from Revelstoke to Golden in eastern B.C.

There is a possibility the 148-kilometre stretch of road could be open again about 8:00 p.m PT, according the provincial transportation ministry.

The closure follows a warning from the Canadian Avalanche Centre about the danger of slides over a wide area of the province from northeast B.C. through the central interior to southeast B.C.

A weak snowpack has resulted in a high risk of major slides, according to the center, which urged people travelling in the backcountry to confine their activity to low-angle terrain at lower elevations.

"There are still several weak layers in the snowpack that can be triggered by the weight of a person on skis or snowmbile," bulletins manager Karl Klassen said in a release.

Although the province could reopen the highway Friday night, the avalanche centre has posted its warning through Sunday.