People looking to head out into the wintry outdoors in the Okanagan will want to exercise caution, as current conditions have led to a high avalanche risk throughout the region.

Coralie Nairn of Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) told Black Press Media on Friday that currently has most of the Okanagan under a "considerable" warning for avalanches, with some parts of the region showing a "high" risk for avalanches. 

"We had some weaker layers of snow in the beginning of December, then mid-December and then early and mid January, so while it was raining down here it was snowing in the mountains, but temperatures were higher so snow didn't consolidate like it normally does in the higher areas," Nairn said, explaining the conditions that have made avalanches a cause for concern. 

"And then we got some deep freezes, especially last week where the colder weather has hit us," she added, explaining the cold temperatures and wind have formed a "crust" on the top layer of snow. An avalanche could be triggered if the snow layers beneath the crust fail.

Nairn said wind loading has been higher with the colder temperatures the region has had and it's coming "from directions we're not used to."

Open slopes or avalanche chutes are "definitely not the place to hang out for sledders or backcountry skiers," she said. 

She encourages anyone taking part in activities in the backcountry to consult Avalanche Canada first. 

Nairn attended a webinar with Avalanche Canada on Thursday and said their recommendation for the public was to "be conservative in your choices," and if you don't understand how to recognize avalanche terrain, "it would be a good idea to do some training." The is a good option, she said.

"If you do have the training then do your snowpack tests. Go out and see which is the unstable layer, look at that before you venture out, and do several snowpack tests throughout the day," Nairn said.

Having safety equipment 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” avalanche beacons, probes and shovels 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” is important. It's also important to know how to use an avalanche beacon before going out. 

"Make sure your batteries are in good condition and that it's in the transmit mode, not receive mode," Nairn said. "Receive is if an avalanche occurs and you have to search for somebody. If you're buried in receive mode, it's not going to work in your favour."

Watching for thin ice

The VSAR also warns about the dangers of going on frozen lakes if the ice is too thin.

Many have been enjoying some winter fun on the popular Swan Lake at the north end of Vernon in recent days. Nairn said she hasn't tested the ice herself but has heard that tests have found it to be six inches thick.

"That's acceptable," she said. "You want thick ice. If you're on an inch of ice or there's slush on top of the ice that is not a good idea. Over the last week we have had lots of wind and lots of cold temperatures, which would have increased the ice thickness."

People often drive vehicles on Swan Lake in the winter, but Nairn warned that travelling at a fast speed on ice can create a "ripple effect" under the ice, something like an "under-ice tsunami" that can lead to trouble.

She said the faster the speed of a vehicle travelling on ice, the faster water under the ice gets pushed out, and when the water hits land or an obstacle it ricochets back and creates a hollow void under the ice. 

"And that's where we get collapse of the ice."

The has tips for determining if ice is safe to skate or walk on.