Terrain sheltered from the wind should hold the best riding and the lowest avalanche danger.
Snowfall amounts vary, if you are seeing 35 cm or more of fresh, increase danger by one step.
New snow and moderate southeast winds are likely forming fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes. This problem is less likely around Whistler and to the north, where less new snow is forecasted for Wednesday.
Cornices are large and fragile. Avoid travelling on or under them.
On Monday around Whistler, a few large (size 2-2.5) natural cornice falls were reported in the alpine.
Also, numerous small, dry and wet loose avalanches were reported on steep slopes. These were either triggered by the sun, or purposely triggered by humans.
10-20 cm of new snow is expected to accumulate at treeline and above by the end of the day on Wednesday. Moderate South or Southeast winds will make deeper, denser deposits in leeward terrain.
This falls on generally wind-affected snow in much of the alpine and open treeline, 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.
The snowpack below the mid-March crust is wet but well settled and strong.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow, higher amounts south of Whistler, as much as 25 cm around Squamish. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2-5 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 3-5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
