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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2026–Apr 4th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

One last day of wintery conditions before spring hits full force, dry snow may be preserved on alpine north-facing slopes.

Continue to practice safe travel and give cornices lots of space.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.
  • The snowpack structure is well understood.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, explosive avalanche control produced a large storm slab avalanche over a convex roll. While this avalanche was relatively shallow, it had wide propogation and ran far.

On Wednesday around Whistler, ski cutting produced a few small (size 1) storm slab avalanches.

On Monday and Tuesday around Whistler, a few large (size 2-2.5) natural cornice falls were again reported in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow has accumulated at treeline and above. Moderate South or Southwest winds will make deeper, denser deposits in leeward terrain.

This falls on generally wind-affected snow in much of the alpine and open treeline, a breakable crust on steep slopes that usually face the sun, and dry, loose snow in sheltered, shaded areas.

60 to 90 cm of mostly settled snow overlies the thick and hard mid-March crust below about 2200 m, and old wind-affected snow above 2200 m. Around Whistler, some facets have been reported around this crust.

Many operators are commenting on how large the cornices have formed this year.

The snowpack below the mid-March crust is wet but well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Warming weather will change the game, click this link for great terrain and travel advice.


More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.

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.

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.