Snow crews ready for whatever this winter’s snow season may bring

News Release

With snow in the mountain passes, it’s only a matter of time until the white stuff falls within city limits. When it does, our snow crews are ready. 

“We’ve completed switching equipment over for the winter, have more than 20,000 tons of sand on hand for the season and, after last year’s fairly dry snow season, our snowplows are raring to get back to work,” said Acting Roadways Operations Manager Blair Stewart. “Just as our crews are prepared to jump into action when the snow falls, we want to remind residents that they too play an important part in our community’s snow clearing and ice control efforts.” 

In advance of forecasted snow, crews are out de-icing and advance treating roads. And as soon as that snow begins to fall, Kelowna’s snow crews work around the clock, seven days a week, plowing, sanding and treating roads until they are safe and clear for all. 

Clearing roads is tackled on a priority system, with first priority being high traffic roads like Gordon Drive, second priority being collector roads like Richter Street and roads with bus routes, school zones, town centres and emergency vehicle station, and third being residential roads. Learn more about road clearing priorities, including your road’s priority status, at kelowna.ca/snow. 

This winter, follow these tips to make the snow season more manageable for everyone: 

• When snow falls, move your car off the street. It makes snow clearing easier, faster and more effective. 
• Clear sidewalks and walkways in and around your property within 24 hours of snow stopping. 
• Help neighbours, friends or family members who may have difficulty shoveling. Or if you’re being helped, be sure to nominate the Snow Angels who lends you a hand! 
• Use the chatbot on kelowna.ca/snow or by calling 250-469-8600 to get all your snow and ice questions answered, including the latest snow clearing updates, if a temporary parking ban is in effect and when your address can expect service. 
• Know if you live on a snow route and abide by temporary parking bans when a Snow Event Advisory is issued. 

Residents living on snow routes have an important responsibility to help support snow clearing efforts in their neighbourhoods. When a Snow Event Advisory is announced, a temporary on street parking ban goes into effect for all snow route areas, which includes Academy Way, Black Mountain, Clifton/Magic Estates/Wilden, Dilworth Mountain, Kirschner Mountain, McKinley Beach, Quail Ridge and areas in the South Mission. Vehicles that remain parked on designated snow routes during these temporary parking bans are subject to enforcement, up to and including a $50 fine and towing. Residents unable to move their cars onto their property should make alternative parking arrangements in advance, such as a garage, underground parkade or surface lot.  

For more information about snow clearing, snow routes, and the Snow Angels program, please visit kelowna.ca/snow.