Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Saturday: Trace amounts of new snow with a chance of broken skies / Light northwest winds (with strong gusts) / Freezing level at 800mSunday: Moderate to locally heavy snowfall  / Moderate to strong west winds / Freezing level at 1000mMonday: Light snowfall / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 700m

On Friday widespread avalanche activity to size 2 was observed on low-angle simple terrain in the Garibaldi South area. Observations were generally minimal on Friday; however, I would suspect that to be a reflection of poor visibility rather than actual conditions. Although natural activity may slow down on Saturday, the possibility of a skier, boarder or sledder triggering a large avalanche is very real.

Heavy amounts of new snow and strong winds have created deep and potentially destructive storm slabs. Underneath the new snow, you may find surface hoar that was buried on February 20th.  Field reports suggest that it is reactive in the Garibladi South area. Where it exists, surface hoar will likely prolong the reactivity of the newly developed slab, so it's very possible that the new snow will take some time to stabilize. The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally strong and well settled.Total snow depths vary from around 400 cm in the south to around 180 cm in the north.