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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2026–Mar 23rd, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

The danger remains elevated in alpine terrain where recent snow and wind formed large slabs and cornices.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday, several wind slabs and cornices were triggered by explosives in the alpine in the size 1 to 2 range, with one size 2.5.

A widespread cycle of wet avalanches occurred during the atmospheric river last week, producing both slab and loose avalanches up to size 3.5, along with large cornice failures.

With cooler temperatures, the main concern has shifted to lingering wind slabs and cornices in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

2–10 cm of dry new snow fell Saturday night, accompanied by strong southerly winds. This new snow overlies a widespread, thick and hard crust below about 2000 m, and 10–40 cm of older storm snow on sheltered upper-elevation lee slopes. On sunny aspects, the surface crust may soften tomorrow, potentially improving riding conditions throughout the day.

Deeper in the snowpack, older weak layers 70–100+ cm below the surface were active during the recent cycle, but are now becoming less of a concern as colder temperatures promote strengthening.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level falling to 600 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 35 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.

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.