Canadian Military End Avalanche Contract
1st May 2026
The service has been provided to Rogers Pass for the past 65-years but will end in August 2027. Since 1961, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has partnered with Parks Canada…
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The service has been provided to Rogers Pass for the past 65-years but will end in August 2027.
Since 1961, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has partnered with Parks Canada on Operation PALACI to protect and maintain the national highway and railway lines through Glacier National Park.
They use howitzers and up to 20 reserve military personnel.
It keeps the pass clear for skiers reaching resorts such as Revelstoke and Kicking Horse.
Rogers Pass, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
Rogers Pass, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI drove through last winter on a Canadian road trip.
There are 18 different firing positions.
In low snow winters between 300 and 500 high-explosive shells are fired along the 43kms area.
In more active years, around 1,000 rounds are fired.
In March this year alone the military fired 271 artillery rounds that helped trigger 37 avalanches.
The Department of National Defence said the decision was made “due to evolving defence modernization priorities and operational imperatives, and the planned divestment of the legacy artillery systems currently used in support of Parks Canada.”
It is unclear how this work will now be carried out.
Rogers Pass, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
