Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Dangerous slabs may persist after recent storms.

Choose conservative routes with simple, low-angle terrain and no overhead hazard.

Back off of sunny slopes if the surface turns moist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Strong to extreme southerly winds formed wind slabs at all elevations, and affected areas farther downslope than normal. They may be more reactive where they overlie surface hoar, facets or a crust.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    A persistent weak layer of facets and crust is buried 60 to 100 cm. Wind slabs or wet loose sluffs could step down to this layer causing larger than expected avalanches.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sun and rising temperatures may melt the surface snow on steep solar affected slopes, creating the potential for wet loose sluffs. Use extra caution on sun-exposed slopes, if the snow surface is moist or wet.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Thursday
Explosive control and ski cutting produced a few small wind slabs in lee and crossloaded terrain.

Wednesday
Explosive control triggered two size 2 cornices and ski cuts produced some small wind slabs.

Tuesday
A few human-triggered size 1 to 2 slabs were reported

Monday
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred, producing slabs up to size 3.5.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme southwesterly winds have scoured, pressed, and loaded snow surfaces, creating widespread wind effect.

40 to 70 cm of storm snow from the past week is sitting on a layer of surface hoar and facets on a crust in some areas. How quickly the storm snow will stabilize remains uncertain.

Another concerning weak layer consisting of a crust with facets from early February is buried 80 to 100+ cm deep.

The remaining snowpack appears to be well settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.

Monday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered