Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 30 – 31, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems and snow conditions vary with aspect and elevation.

Be prepared to shift plans based on observed conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Deeper deposits of recent storm snow may remain reactive near ridgelines.

    Watch for pockets of reactive slab where recent storm snow has been deposited in leeward terrain features at upper elevations.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Weak layers remain a concern, especially in north-facing terrain and where snowpack depth is variable. Avoid steep and shallow rocky features at upper elevations. These layers have caused recent very large avalanches in the region.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wet loose avalanches will become increasingly likely in recent snow on steep sun exposed slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle occurred throughout the region, to size 4 during the recent warm-up. Numerous storm slabs or wet avalanches stepped down to deeper persistent weak layers.

Natural avalanche activity has since tapered off, but human-triggered avalanches on these layers remain possible.

Avalanche activity this weekend was limited to the storm snow above the crust, with human triggers producing size 1-1.5 avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of settling snow sits over a crust capping a wet upper snowpack. In exposed areas, deeper deposits likely exist on northerly aspects.

Several persistent weak layers from January, February and March can be found between 1 and 3 m deep in the Sea to Sky, and up to 2 m deep in the Duffy. These layers were very reactive during the warm spell last week. Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Increasing cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature around -4 °C. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with 2 to 5 cm of snow or light rain. 10 to 25 km/h variable ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 10 km/h variable ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Regions covered