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Backcountry Advisory

As of Wednseday, Jan 10

Alpine: CONSIDERABLE

Treeline: CONSIDERABLE

Below Treeline: MODERATE

Travel Advisory : Expect to see extensive scouring in most alpine start zones with loading low in lee areas and drifting behind features. Deep soft slabs have been loaded into tree line and below tree line. There are a couple of temperature crusts buried in the upper snow pack below 1,700 metres. Forecast north winds are likely to kick up later this week redistributing snow into usual windward areas and building another layer of windslab onto the surface.

Avalanche Activity: Explosive and ski testing carried out in the ski area has produced surprisingly little in the way of avalanche activity after the storms have passed. Isolated deep drifts and windslabs have released with control work in very sheltered lee start zones. The ferocity of the recent storms has resulted in a lot of natural activity during the precipitation and wind events. Cornices have grown substantially and they are very fragile. There has been evidence of natural activity with each of the past few storms, especially in steep treeline start zones.

Snowpack : We have received close to 100 centimetres of snow that arrived in waves with warming temperatures and extreme winds. Areas of deep, stiff windslab are loaded into drifts beside shallow scoured areas. It seems to be bonding well, however, windslabs have a tendency to react inconsistently to triggers.

Weather : Cold dry conditions with north winds are expected through the weekend.

Remember that there are still many exposed early season hazards so take it easy out there. Watch for winch cats and snowmobile traffic if you re-enter the ski area after operating hours. Call 604-938-7676 or surf to avalanche.ca or whistlerblackcomb.com for more information.

Blackcomb Snow Safety