Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 24 – 25, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Start on small, mellow slopes and watch for signs of instability before approaching steeper or larger slopes.

Snowfall will vary. If you find 40 cm+ of fresh, increase danger by one step.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

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

    Cornices are large and fragile this time of year, the new storm will be building them up even further. Avoid travelling on or under them.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Recent storm snow and southwest winds continue to build reactive slabs. Avalanches are expected be larger and more likely on west through north facing (leeward) slopes.

Confidence

High

  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Looking forward

With two days of stormy weather, we expect that human triggered avalanches in the recent snow are likely.

Monday

Around Whistler, a couple of small, rider triggered avalanches were reported in extreme alpine terrain, along with a few large, explosives triggered cornice falls.

Sunday

A skier was caught in a small slab: MIN.
Explosives triggered a few size 1 to 1.5 wind slabs and cornices.

Snowpack Summary

Another 20 to 30 cm of new snow is expected by the end of the day on Wednesday. Extreme southwest wind through the night, and moderate to strong wind through the day is expected to form deeper, more reactive deposits in leeward terrain.

This should all add up to 40 to 60 cm of recent storm snow over a widespread, thick and hard crust below about 2000 m, and old wind-affected snow at upper elevations.

Deeper in the snowpack, older weak layers currently buried 70–100+ cm have likely gained strength, and are not considered a problem at this time.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow, possibly 25 cm or more north and west of pemberton. 65-80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, decreasing by early morning. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow, possibly 20 cm or more north and west of pemberton. 30-50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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