Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2026–Mar 26th, 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, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Start on small, mellow slopes and watch for signs of instability before approaching steeper or larger slopes.

Snowfall will vary. If you find 40 cm+ of fresh, increase danger by one step.

Confidence

Moderate

We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.
We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

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

Another 5 to 15 cm of new snow is expected by the end of the day on Thursday with moderate winds. Expect deeper, more reactive deposits in leeward terrain. Strong to Extreme wind from Tuesday night into Wednesday means that much of the alpine may have hard, wind affected snow on or near the surface.

This should all add up to 40 to 60 cm of recent storm snow over 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

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 10 cm of snow, possibly 20 cm or more north and west of Pemberton. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 30-45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

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

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.