Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2026–Apr 6th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Stay alert to changing conditions with aspect and elevation.

Cornice falls and wet avalanches remain a concern in the sun and warmth, while wind slabs linger on high north aspects.

Confidence

High

We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.
We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, numerous wind slabs were reported in alpine north-facing terrain from rider and explosive triggers to size 1.5. South-facing slopes at all elevations produced natural and rider triggered wet avalanches, also to size 1.5.

On Friday, explosive avalanche control produced multiple large (size 2-2.5) cornice avalanches. There are also reports of extensive older loose wet avalanche debris in the Sky Pilot area.

Snowpack Summary

While overnight cooling may produce a surface crust, snow surfaces will rapidly become moist/wet with sunshine and rising temperatures. High north facing slopes may still hold dry, cold snow. Many operators are commenting on large cornices - give them a wide berth as temperatures rise.

A thick crust sits 80-100 cm deep. Near Whistler, some facets have been reported around this crust. The snowpack below the mid-March crust is wet but well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Monday
Sunny. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.