Avalanche Forecast
Sea To Sky
A spike in natural avalanche activity may occur due to strong solar effect.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 2: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Large looming cornices exist along ridgelines. They require respect and discipline. Give them an extra wide berth from above and below.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Falling cornices may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, no new avalanches were reported.
On Thursday, avalanche control with explosives triggered numerous slab avalanches up to size 2. Cornice releases triggered wind slabs from the slopes below up to size 1.5. With colder temperatures expected this weekend, natural avalanche activity will likely taper off, but human triggering will be possible especially on leeward slopes and behind terrain features.
Snowpack Summary
Snow surfaces vary from aspect to elevation showing crusts, wind pressed and scoured conditions. In the alpine 5-15 cm of recent snow, accompanied by strong winds from the southeast have formed reactive wind slabs up to 30 cm thick in leeward terrain. Large, fragile cornices exist on ridgelines and could trigger an avalanche on the slope below if they fail. Treeline and below treeline elevations a melt-freeze crust has formed.
On average 180 cm of settled snow now sits on the mid-January crust which generally shows signs of bonding to the overlying snow; however, it has the potential to "wake-up" with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be generally strong and well-settled.
Weather Forecast
The weather pattern has taken a dramatic shift as the arctic ridge becomes the dominant weather feature through the weekend, bringing colder temperatures and mostly clear skies.
Saturday: Sunny with alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing levels 1400 m. Ridgetop winds light from the West.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with some flurries. Alpine temperatures near -7 and freezing levels 1000 m. Ridgetop winds light from the northwest.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing levels 1100 m. Possible alpine inversion. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast.
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Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
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Wind slabs remain reactive to rider triggers, especially on leeward slopes and behind terrain features.