There is great riding to be had but don't let your guard down. Avalanche hazard still exists, especially on ridge loaded and cross loaded terrain at upper elevations.
Confidence
High - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
The storm that is forecast to hit the North Coast unfortunately won't have much effect further south. Saturday will be mainly dry with moderate snowfall starting overnight through Sunday. Storm amounts are forecast to range between 20cm in Garibaldi to 10cm around Meager Creek. No significant precipitation is expected for Monday. Winds will continue to be mainly light and variable through the forecast period. The cold Artic air mass entrenched over much of BC will keep things cool with freezing levels expected to remain below 500m.
Avalanche Summary
The most recent storm snow is sluffing in steep terrain with minimal destructive potential. There haven't been any recent reports of natural slab avalanche activity in the Sea to Sky but some avalanches in neighboring regions are worth keeping in mind. Storm slab activity was reported from the North Shore as recently as Thursday, where conditions may be closer to what can be found around Garibaldi. Further north, a skier was involved in a size 2 avalanche in the Joffre group on Wednesday that released from a wind loaded pocket at ridgeline. On Tuesday several skiers were surprised by a wind slab on a cross loaded feature at treeline in the Spearhead.
Snowpack Summary
The last week has seen up to 85cm of new snow accompanied by mainly light but variable winds. Temperatures have remained cool which has slow the settlement of the most recent storm snow and plenty of low density pow can still be found in sheltered areas. Fresh or recently buried old wind slabs can be found in the immediate lee of ridges and cross loaded features on north to northeast aspects both at tree line and in the treeline. In glaciated terrain, katabatic winds have also been loading mid-slope features.
Problems
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.