What Is The Coquihalla Snowshed Protocol?

The Coquihalla (BC Highway 5 from Hope to Merritt) is the province’s busiest mountain pass. At more than 1,200m in elevation, it’s also one of the routes hit hardest by heavy snowfall and other winter conditions.

For those living in Revelstoke know this highway just as well as those living in the Okanagan area and are affected by it when it too has a massive snow storm. This highway can make or break a decision to visit family in the lower mainland during the winter holidays, or it can be the fastest route to them on good weather days.

The ‘Coq” is a long stretch of highway, so how do they maintain that long stretch during the stormy winter months?