Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2026–Mar 27th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

New wind slabs have formed and need more time to settle and bond.

Overnight snowfall forecast is highly variable. If you find 40 cm+ of new snow, increase danger by one step.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.
We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, around Whistler, ski cutting produced one small (size 1) wind slab avalanche.

On Wednesday around Whistler, explosives avalanche control produced a large (size 2) Cornice release that entrained some loose dry snow on the slope below.

On Tuesday around Whistler, several small to large (size 1-1.5), rider controlled storm slab avalanches were reported, in alpine and treeline terrain, with the deepest avalanches being on north facing slopes in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm has accumulated in the past few days, with strong to extreme south west wind. Expect deeper, more reactive deposits in leeward terrain. In the alpine on windward terrain expect to find hard, wind affected snow and sastrugi.

40 to 60 cm over the past week overlies 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

Thursday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.