Avalanche Forecast

Several skier-triggered size 1 wind slab avalanches were reported on west and southwest aspects in the alpine and at treeline near Whistler over the past few days.

Small amounts of snow have slowly been accumulating since Friday night. This new snow is covering up a new crust that exists on solar aspects as well as on all aspects below treeline. Ongoing southerly winds have formed wind slabs near ridge crests at treeline and above. Large cornices have formed from these winds. Up to 20 cm of soft snow can still be found on sheltered northerly aspects.

A couple of crusts with facets sitting above them can be found at treeline and above down 60 to 180 cm.

The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with some clear periods, 5 cm accumulation, winds south 20 km/h gusting to 40, treeline temperatures around - 7 °C with freezing levels to 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 to 30 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures between -5 to -10 °C with freezing levels to 1200 m.

Monday

Cloudy, up to 20 cm accumulation focused more to the south and starting in the early morning, winds southwest 25 to 30 km/h gusting to 65, treeline temperatures -5 to 0 °C with freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods, 5 cm accumulation, winds south southwest 20 km.h, treeline temperatures -10 to -5 °C with freezing levels to 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
• The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.