Given the massive snow dump we've had over the last while, the avalanche situation is no surprise. The highway and railway go through some highly vertical terrain. There have already been several backcountry fatalities in that area -- not the usual wingnuts, but some smart and highly experienced people.

On good roads, people punch right through from Calgary AB to Golden BC in an hour or hour-and-a-half. It's not a place you'd expect to be stranded. IIRC, Field is just a whistle stop.