Avalanche Forecast
Sea To Sky
Forecast snow and strong winds is driving the avalanche danger. Be alert to changing conditions and increased hazard.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequence.
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 Tuesday, cornice triggers using explosives produced numerous results up to size 2. Cornices remain fragile, give them a wide berth from above and below. Some loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported from steeper terrain features below 1700 m. Avalanche activity will likely increase on Thursday with forecast snow and strong winds.
Snowpack Summary
New snow up to 10 cm and consistently strong winds from the south east have formed reactive wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain. Below this is a variety of old snow surfaces including wind pressed, scoured or fresh, low density snow in the alpine. Treeline and below treeline a melt-freeze crust exists with moist snow below 1500 m.
An average of 170 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. Cornices are large and fragile and demand respect.
Below this, the snowpack is thought to be generally strong and well-settled.
Weather Forecast
Thursday: New snow up to 20 cm overnight Wednesday. Clearing by the afternoon. Ridgetop winds strong from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -5 with freezing levels 1600 m.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures near -10 and freezing levels at valley bottom. Ridgetop winds light from the north.
Saturday: Mostly clear with no forecast snow. Alpine temperatures near -10 and ridgetop winds light from the northeast.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
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Set up an RSS feed for your email:
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- Sea To Sky URL:
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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.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
New storm slabs may be reactive to rider triggers, especially on leeward slopes and behind terrain features where wind loading builds thicker slabs.