A person who entered a prohibited section of Glacier National Park this week has prompted Parks Canada to issue a special closure.

Part of the park's West Rogers Winter Restricted Area has been closed indefinitely since Thursday, Feb. 13, as a result, Parks Canada shared on Facebook.

The closed section falls on the east side of Highway 1 near the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, along the slopes of Mt. Macdonald and Avalanche Mountain.

"Unfortunately, an individual entered the Macdonald West Winter Prohibited Area this week," the post reads, emphasizing that the park's winter permit system (WPS) requires 100 per cent compliance.

Parks Canada staff informed Black Press Media that a person's footprints were found in the winter prohibited area but the individual who left them wasn't seen or identified. While such an act could result in the individual being restricted from future entry into Glacier National Park, staff said, this wider public closure is likely the first of the season.

The reopening of the Macdonald West Winter Prohibited Area is dependent on how soon snowfall covers up the person's footprints, to ensure other visitors don't follow them astray, staff explained.

If skiers and snowboarders enter winter prohibited areas or closed winter restricted areas, or access open winter restricted areas without a winter permit, they put the future of the WPS at risk, Parks Canada's Facebook post says.

Still, it adds that most backcountry users of the park comply with and support the WPS.

"In fact, many act as ambassadors, helping ensure those new to the area are aware of the program," the post notes.

"The WPS allows Parks Canada to open areas for winter recreation when no avalanche control is planned or anticipated for the Trans-Canada Highway," Parks Canada commented in response to one Facebook user. "Without the WPS, all these areas would be closed throughout the winter as they were prior to 1995. The program was developed in collaboration with winter backcountry users."

Skiers, snowboarders and other visitors accessing Glacier National Park can obtain a winter permit at .