Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Apr 22 – 23, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

It's a good time to explore more complex terrain, start your day early and end early.

Be sure to verify conditions before committing to steep slopes and back off if the snow is wet and slushy.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

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

    Large cornices hang over many ridges and are more likely to collapse during warm, sunny weather.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    By Thursday a prolonged period with no significant overnight refreeze may be established. Natural wet loose avalanche activity is possible.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, cornice failures with the use of explosives were seen up to size 2. The cornice chunks did not release slab avalanches on the slopes below. No significant avalanche activity has been reported since the last warm, sunny day on Friday (see below).

Looking ahead, avalanche activity such as wet loose and cornice falls may increase with solar radiation, forecast high freezing levels and a limited refreeze.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow may linger on shady north slopes in the alpine.

The snowpack is generally strong, with a typical spring diurnal pattern: daytime warming moistens the upper snowpack, then overnight cooling usually forms a hard crust at higher elevations. Lower elevations may not refreeze and are melting out quickly.

Dormant weak layers may still exist in isolated alpine terrain, but likely require a very heavy trigger, such as a cornice fall. This should be on your radar once we start to see the forecast high freezing levels, solar radiation, and a limited overnight refreeze

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear periods. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Friday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

Regions covered