Sea To Sky

Natural avalanches are unlikely but small, isolated rider triggerable wind slabs could exist.

Stepping out into big terrain with good travel habits and group management is appropriate.

High

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

On Tuesday and Wednesday, numerous natural wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed. These avalanches occurred in steep, rocky south facing terrain.

A few centimetres of new snow is expected by Friday morning. 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.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. Trace amounts of snow possible. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. 15 to 45 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy. 10 to 30 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.