Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Mar 1 – 2, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Warm temps, sun, and persistent weak layers are creating tricky conditions

Choose conservative low-angle terrain with no overhead hazard.

Check out this forecaster blog on conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong to extreme southerly winds formed wind slabs 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

    Several weak layers of surface hoar, facets or crusts may exist in the top meter of the snowpack. 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 - Very 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

Friday
A vehicle remotely triggered some small slabs on road banks. Explosive control triggered some small cornices and wind slabs.

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

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme southwesterly winds have created widespread wind effect and built wind slabs on lee slopes.

A melt-freeze crust may be found on sunny slopes and at lower elevations. This surface crust will likely soften with sun and daytime warming.

40 to 70 cm of storm snow from the past week may be sitting on a layer of surface hoar, facets or a crust in some areas. How quickly the old storm snow will bond to this layer 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

Saturday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 35 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 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.

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