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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 29th, 2026–Mar 30th, 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.
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.

Use good travel habits, and avoid stiff pockets of wind slab in steep terrain.

Cornices are large and fragile. Give them a wide berth, as even brief sun may trigger cornice failure.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.
  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday and Saturday around Whistler, explosives avalanche control triggered large (size 2) cornice avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

40 to 60 cm of settling snow (possibly moist, possibly containing thin crusts) overlies a widespread, thick and hard crust below about 2200 m, and old wind-affected snow above 2200 m.

Steep south facing slopes may be crusty or moist depending on time of day and sun exposure.

On wind exposed alpine ridges, expect to find wind-scoured crust, or firm, wind affected snow.

The snowpack below the mid-March crust is wet but well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly clear skies. 1 cm of snow. 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind, decreasing to 10 km/h through the night. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high -5 °C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °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.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.
  • 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.