Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 31st, 2026–Apr 1st, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

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.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.
The snowpack structure is well understood.

Avalanche Summary

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.

Snowpack Summary

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.

Weather Summary

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.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

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.

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.