Winter driving in Rogers Pass

Stopping and parking restrictions

To ensure your safety, sections of the highway below avalanche paths are no stopping areas. These areas are clearly marked with signs.

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Passenger vehicles

Parking

Parking areas at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre and Illecillewaet Valley trailhead are open and do not require a permit between 4:00 AM and 9:00 PM. All other parking lots in Glacier National Park are restricted between November and April each year, and require a Winter Parking Permit. Restricted parking lots open or close daily depending on avalanche control work.

There is no winter frontcountry camping in Glacier National Park and sleeping in vehicles overnight in parking areas is prohibited.

 

All parking lots provide access to Winter Restricted Areas and trails that enter avalanche terrain. If you want to leave your vehicle and stretch your legs, please speak to staff at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre for advice and suggestions on how to stay safe.

Avalanche control work is conducted to keep the transportation corridor open, not to make slopes safe for backcountry users. Anyone travelling into the backcountry must have avalanche training and appropriate safety equipment.

Map of parking areas

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Winter driving safety

Be prepared for highway closures

When conditions warrant, Parks Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces will close the highway to perform avalanche control. Closures can last from 2 to 8 hours or longer depending on avalanche hazard, road conditions, weather, and traffic volumes. For safety and to ensure travellers have access to services, traffic will be held in Revelstoke and Golden when longer closures are required.

Let someone know your travel plans, keep your gas tank full, and always keep a safety kit in your vehicle in case of extended closures or mechanical failure. This should include water, food, candles, extra clothing and blankets. 

Allow extra time and use caution when the highway reopens as traffic will be backed up. Be aware that even though the highway just reopened, there may be traffic coming the other direction including snowplows, traffic management crews and Parks Canada or provincial highway and avalanche control personnel. Once underway, resist the urge to make up for driving time lost during the closure; a motor vehicle incident can require the highway to close again!

Snow tires required in winter

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Commercial vehicles

What to know before you go!

There are 135 avalanche paths along the 43-km stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway through Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park. Safe stopping areas are limited and are required for vehicle parking during highway closures.               PLAN AHEAD.

Be aware of avalanche no stopping zones

Stopping and parking

There are no areas in Glacier National Park, including the Rogers Pass summit area, designated for commercial vehicles to take extended breaks. Plan any legally required rest breaks before or after you travel through Rogers Pass.

Avalanche control operations and highway maintenance occur 24/7 in winter. To support these ongoing operations, please limit stops to 30 minutes or less.

Recommended parking areas for commercial vehicles (see map below):

• Westbound: The Beaver Valley Traffic Holding Area on the east side of Rogers Pass. This pull out is just after the Beaver Valley Picnic Area (closed in winter) and has new toilet facilities.

• Eastbound: The Sir Donald Chain-up area on the west side of Rogers Pass. As the name suggests, this pull out is available for commercial vehicles to put on chains when they are required. At other times, it is a safe spot for a quick stop, complete with toilet facilities.

Large commercial vehicles are not permitted in the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre and washroom building parking lots or on the service road at Rogers Pass. These areas are essential for traffic management during road closures and avalanche control operations. 

The nearby NRC Gully parking area is restricted as part of the avalanche control program.

This information is provided to help keep you safe and be sure you know where you can park when traveling through Glacier National Park. Illegal parking is a chargeable offense under the Canada National Parks Act and violators may be fined

Map of parking areas for commercial vehicles

Winter driving safety

Be prepared for highway closures

When conditions warrant, Parks Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces will close the highway to perform avalanche control. Closures can last from 2 to 8 hours or longer depending on avalanche hazard, road conditions, weather, and traffic volumes. For safety and to ensure travellers have access to services, traffic will be held in Revelstoke and Golden when longer closures are required.

Allow extra time and use caution when the highway reopens as traffic will be backed up. Be aware that even though the highway just reopened, there may be traffic coming the other direction including snowplows, traffic management crews and Parks Canada or provincial highway and avalanche control personnel. Once underway, resist the urge to make up for driving time lost during the closure; a motor vehicle incident can require the highway to close again!

Slow down, chain up

Conditions can change quickly in the mountains, reduce your speed and increase your following distance as conditions worsen.

Know the regulations for commercial vehicles and chains.

• If your vehicle is required to carry chains, know how to use them.
• Check DriveBC before heading into the mountains for chain up notifications.
• Watch for flashing lights or overhead signs advising of chain up requirements.
• Don’t wait until it is too late - if conditions are deteriorating, chain up for traction and safety.