Photo Courtesy County of Grande Prairie

By Tanner Smith

Snowfall expected

Local snow removal crews prepared for forecasted snowfall

Nov 5, 2025 | 1:08 PM

With snow in the forecast over the next three days, the County of Grande Prairie is letting the community know its snow removal fleet is prepared.

Made up of “23 graders, nine plow trucks, three loaders and other equipment,” this fleet is in charge of clearing 3,700 km of County roads; outside of provincial highways, which are done by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors.

The County is also reminding residents that snow removal operations are done in a certain order following heavy snowfalls:

1. High-volume and high-speed roads; These roads, known as arterial roads or hard-surfaced roads, are typically cleared within three business days after 8 cm of snow has accumulated. Based on conditions, salt, sand, and/or gravel may also be applied to priority intersections, road curves, and hills.
2. Rural gravel roads are cleared after 15 cm of snow has accumulated, typically within five business days.
3. Hamlets and residential subdivisions are typically cleared once 15 cm of snow has accumulated and within 12 business days, prioritizing high-volume road and school zones.

During residential clearing, parking bans will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with vehicles in the roadway at risk of a fine or being towed.

These temporary parking bans will take place throughout the winter in areas including:

• Clairmont, from 100 Avenue to 116 Avenue
• Hythe
• La Glace
• Westlake Village
• Whispering Ridge
• Wedgewood
• Maple Ridge
• Taylor Estates

Anyone wanting more information on snow removal operations in the County of Grande Prairie can visit their website.

The City of Grande Prairie also provided some information for its snow removal operations this winter.

Snow removal operations will also be done in a specific order, to “keep people moving and emergency routes open,” according to the City:

• Priority 1 roads: Major routes such as 100 Street, 84 Avenue, 68 Avenue, Resources Road and Highway 40 (Wapiti Road) are cleared first.
• Priority 2 roads: Transit routes and main collector roads, including Crystal Lake Drive, Mission Heights Drive, Poplar Drive and Royal Oaks Drive, are cleared next.
• Priority 3 roads: Industrial and commercial roads owned by the City follow.
• Residential roads: Neighbourhood streets are cleared by contracted crews in a two-week rotation, once residential clearing is declared.

New this year, the City has also implemented a new snow-clearing trigger, lowering it from 13 cm to 10 cm.

The City says it will be delivering a snow-clearing brochure to all homes in the City, but more information can also be found on its website.

They also remind residents that temporary parking bans will be in effect throughout the winter, Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The County has also provided a list of winter driving tips for residents, as Environment Canada is predicting flurries today (Wednesday, Nov 5), Thursday, Nov 6, and Friday, Nov. 7:

• Use caution and reduce driving speeds to the conditions, including when approaching plows, graders, and equipment
• Allow extra travel time
• Install winter or snow-rated tires
• Prepare an emergency kit and refuel regularly