An avalanche shut down British Columbia's Coquihalla Highway, between Hope and Merritt on Thursday and the major route will remain closed overnight, a B.C. Transport Ministry spokesman said.

The highway is closed while the snow is cleared and crews do avalanche control work.

The ministry said the snow came down at the Box Canyon chain-up area near the snowshed at 7 a.m. The slide measured about 55 metres long and a metre deep.

Drivers are advised to use the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon or Highway 3 through Manning Park to avoid the blockage.