Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast. Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Sunday night: Clearing, light to moderate northerly ridgetop wind, freezing level 1100 m.

Monday: Sunny, light to moderate northerly ridgetop wind, freezing level 2000 m in the southwest, 1000 m further inland.

Tuesday: Sun and cloud with evening flurries developing, ridgetop wind building to strong southwest, freezing level 800 m.

Wednesday: Sun and cloud, light variable ridgetop wind, freezing level 600 m.

Explosive control work targeting cornices on Friday and Saturday produced size 2 results, some triggering deep slabs in the rocky slopes below. 

A widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 occurred throughout the region during a storm last week. Several initiated as storm slab and stepped down to deeper weak layers resulting in very large (size 3-4) persistent slab avalanches.

Over a week ago now, a large (size 3) avalanche was remotely triggered by skiers on Cowboy Ridge near Whistler. The avalanche occurred on a north to northwest aspect at around 1900 m. The crown was up to 200 cm deep and was approximately 200 m wide. Check out this MIN for photos and more information. A similar avalanche was remotely triggered by skiers on a nearby westerly slope a few days before; check out this MIN for more info and photos.

Ski quality in the extensively wind affected alpine has been widely referred to as chalky. Soft snow may be found in sheltered areas around treeline and may overlie a spotty layer of surface hoar. A widespread surface crust exists below 1900 m.

The snowpack is currently quite complex. A layer of sugary faceted grains above a hard melt-freeze crust from early December may be found down 100 to 200 cm. Just over a week ago, several large natural and human-triggered avalanches on this layer occurred, with the hot spots being around the Whistler backcountry.

Near the base of the snowpack, there may be faceted grains above a crust from early-November, which was identified as the failure layer in sporadic avalanche releases. At this depth, avalanches are large and destructive.

• Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
• In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.