About Howson

This page shows the current backcountry snow report, avalanche forecast, and weather conditions for Howson. Check the danger rating, field observations, and Doctor's Orders summary above before heading out.

The Howson region encompasses the Howson Range and Telkwa Range terrain in the mountains near Smithers in northwest BC, rising above the Bulkley Valley and the Skeena River corridor. This area is characterized by a rugged, largely undeveloped mountain landscape where glaciated peaks rise from the confluence of the Coast Mountains and the Interior Ranges, producing a distinct blend of maritime-influenced snowpack and interior topography. The region is accessed primarily via forest service roads branching from Highway 16 through the Bulkley and Skeena River valleys, with significant approach travel required to reach the higher terrain. The snow climate reflects the Howson region's position at the inland penetration limit of the Pacific moisture track through the Skeena Valley, producing heavy snowfall by inland BC standards but a noticeably different character than the directly coastal regions to the west. The snowpack builds deep and well-bonded under consistent loading, with a tendency toward reactive storm slab conditions during active weather cycles. Cold continental air masses from the BC interior can push through the valley systems during high-pressure periods, introducing faceting potential and surface hoar formation that gets buried by subsequent storms — a classic and persistent hazard pattern for this region.

Terrain within this zone includes: Smithers, Howson Range, Telkwa Range, Bulkley Valley, Skeena River, Hazelton.