Sea To Sky

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Verify conditions and check for signs of instability before entering committing slopes.

Moderate

• Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Storm slabs were reactive to skier traffic and explosive control around Whistler on Saturday. Numerous small slabs (up to size 1.5) were reported on alpine northerly and easterly slopes.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.

Up to 25 cm of new snow is found at treeline. This new snow will overlie a variety of surfaces, including a crust on south-facing aspects, wind-affected snow on north-facing terrain above 2100 m, and surface hoar on isolated, sheltered features.

The mid-December crust is 100 to 200 cm deep and well-bonded to the snow above. Above 2200 m, this crust is absent and a layer of facets and a crust from November is found at the base of the snowpack. These layers are not currently a concern.

Sunday Night

Cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
• Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.