Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 8 – 9, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cool temperatures are returning. As the moist snow cools, expect a surface crust to form.

Wind continues to blow, be careful transitioning into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Where dry snow exists, it may be transported by moderate to strong southwest winds to form deeper deposits on lee slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a highly variable snowpack.
  • We are uncertain due to rapidly changing freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, explosive control produced a few size 1 to 1.5 cornice and storm slab avalanches in the Whistler area.

On Thursday, several natural and skier accidental size 1 to 1.5 wind slab avalanches occurred. Additionally, one natural avalanche was caused by cornice fall. Recent weather has formed large fragile cornices.

On Wednesday, explosive work produced several size 1 to 2 storm slab avalanches in the Whistler area as well as a couple size 2 cornice avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and light rain have moistened the upper snowpack up to 2200m. 10-20cm of settled new snow overlies a variety of wind affected surfaces. As the temperatures cool, we expect a surface crust to form.

Another weak layer consisting of a crust with facets from early February is buried 50 to 100+ cm deep. There has been no reactivity on this layer in tests or in avalanches recently.

The remaining snowpack appears to be well settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 mm of precipitation. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Regions covered