Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 28 – 29, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Recent snow and wind have formed reactive slabs.

A buried weak layer persist and if triggered may result in a large to very large avalanche.

Review this video for persistent slab strategies.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Recent storm snow and southwest winds continued to form wind slabs. Avalanches are expected be larger and more likely on west through north facing (leeward) slopes.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Cornices are large and fragile. Even a small period of sun and warming may be enough to cause a cornice to fail.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Two crusts, buried in early February (facets on top) and March are still a concern, particularly in the Hurley area and zones to the north. Smaller avalanches or cornice falls have the potential to trigger an avalanche on these layers.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Both Thursday and Friday, large to very large (size 2-3) natural storm slab avalanches were reported near Anderson Lake.

On Wednesday near Hurley Pass widespread cracking was observed during terrain travel.

Earlier in the week, numerous small rider-triggered storm slabs were reported north of Pemberton. Explosive control produced cornice and wind slab avalanches, with one stepping down to a deeper weak layer.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong southwest wind have formed deeper, and more reactive deposits in leeward terrain.

Expect to find, up to 35 to 70 cm of recent snow over a widespread, thick and hard crust below about 1800 m, and old wind-affected snow at upper elevations.

Two crusts, buried in early February and March are still a concern, particularly in the Hurley area and zones to the north. Expect to find them around 1-1.5 meters below the snow surface. Of the two, only the early February crust has been reported to have loose, sugary facets on top.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to a buried crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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