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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2026–Jan 9th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

Avoid wind loaded areas.

Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, there were several small skier-controlled wind slabs.

On Wednesday, there were a few small slabs triggered with explosives near Whistler.

On Tuesday, there were several large (size 2) storm slabs triggered with explosives near Whistler. As well as several, small dry loose avalanches from steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 20 of recent snow has been redistributed by strong to extreme wind. In some areas, there is a layer of surface hoar underneath that was buried on Monday.

Underneath the approximately 50 cm of snow that fell this year there is a crust on south-facing slopes, and surface hoar in isolated, sheltered features.

The mid-December crust is 100 to 200 cm deep and well-bonded to the snow above. Above 2200 m, this crust is absent and a layer of facets and a crust from November is found at the base of the snowpack. These layers are not currently a concern.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday
Cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 25 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday
Cloudy. 20 to 50 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.