Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Backcountry Advice

As of Wednesday, April 3 We received small amounts of new snow during the last few days of March. Moderate to strong southwesterly mountaintop winds transported what little snow was available and created some isolated pockets of variable wind-slab.
As of Wednesday, April 3

We received small amounts of new snow during the last few days of March. Moderate to strong southwesterly mountaintop winds transported what little snow was available and created some isolated pockets of variable wind-slab. These potential pocket instabilities appear to be generally well glued on to the underlying surfaces in most areas, and have been observed to be reactive to ski-testing in isolated areas only.

Unseasonably cool temperatures have prevented the sun from doing its usual thing at this time of year, with only a few small solar-induced surface instabilities observed to have occurred on some steep rocky south aspects during the past few days.

Many have taken advantage of the good travelling conditions in the backcountry of late. However, the descent through the forest to the valley floor below has proven to be a challenge for some. Travel with a partner, and be equipped and prepared for self-rescue. If you are re-entering the ski area after hours, watch out for snowmobiles and winch-cats working.

The backcountry avalanche danger is rated as LOW this morning, and can be expected to increase on steep solar aspects throughout the day.

Conditions may vary and can change rapidly. Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry.

Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler-Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or at www.whistler-blackcomb.com/weather where there is also a link to the CAA public avalanche bulletin. No PC? Call 1-800-667-1105

The weather forecast is calling for this brilliant weather to come to an end as the first in a series of systems embedded in a Westerly flow displaces the ridge of high pressure on Friday. This cool moist on-shore flow is currently expected to last through until at least next Tuesday.