Avalanche Forecast
Sea To Sky
Avalanche activity is possible on steep solar aspects if the sun peeks out.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.
- Use conservative route selection: choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Persistent slabs are most likely to be triggered with a large load like cornice fall; or by a person in a thin or variable-depth snowpack spot.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger persistent slabs.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Avalanche Problem 3: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Large fragile cornices are a hazard in themselves, but can also act as a trigger for large avalanches.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep slopes below cornices.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on ridges.
Avalanche Summary
Skiers triggered two large persistent slabs on Wednesday. One was reported as a size 3, 50-200 cm deep. Several loose wet avalanches were observed on steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow and wind are combining to create new slabs. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. New snow will overlie various old surfaces including previous storm snow, melt freeze crusts on sunny aspects, scoured old hard wind slabs and dry snow.
A weak layer consisting of surface hoar, facets or a sun crust buried in late March is now down about 60-80 cm. This is patchy in its distribution, but is still producing sporadic large avalanches. It is mostly likely to be problematic on shady aspects between 1900m and 2250m.
The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Light snow. Moderate southerly winds. Freezing level near 1700 m.
SATURDAY: Moderate snow. Light winds. Freezing level near 1800 m.
SUNDAY: Light snow. Light winds. Freezing level near 1400 m.
Click here for more information in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
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Recent snow and wind have formed slabs which could be triggered with the weight of a person.