Backcountry Avalanche Advisory

Please note that Backcountry refers to any areas outside the Ski Area Boundary

 

Last Updated: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 9:08 AM

  Tue Wed Thu
Alpine Low Low Low
Treeline Low Low Low
Below Treeline Low Low Low
Avalanche Danger Rating Descriptions

Travel Advisory:

Clear skies at night allow for a degree of crust recovery while warm daytime temperatures and direct solar exposure melt the surface layers during the day. Wet snow, like water, doesn't like to sit on a slope. Bullet proof surface conditions in the mornings will give way to corn snow by mid day. The "corn" will turn into wet surface snow before we start seeing loose wet avalanches from steep areas and cornice failures. We aren't too worried about small avalanches at this time, but the potential for very large avalanches is continuing.

Avalanche Activity:

Glide cracks continue to show up in steep terrain, indicating that the snowpack is on the move. Moist loose natural avalanches up to size 2 were observed after the last snowfall, and they were not limited to solar aspects. When it gets real warm, cornice noses and large mushroom blocks of snow have been falling. The warm, wet snowpack will maintain the threat of deep slab avalanches.

Snowpack:

Unlike wet snow in winter, we are now dealing with melt freeze crystals and free water that is going through freeze thaw cycles. These melt freeze crystals only stick together when the free water between them is frozen. Free water in the snowpack makes the pack glide toward flat ground. Sometimes this results in very large, deep and destructive slab avalanches. The surface crust will not slow the slow glide that is going on deep in the snowpack.

Weather:

A trace of new snow fell at 1500m last night. Winds in the Alpine were moderate fro the majority of the evening with the occasional strong gust.Unsettled conditions are expected for today and tomorrow with freezing levels around 1800m.

 

Watch out for winch-cats or snowmobile traffic if you re-enter the area after operating hours. Blackcomb snow safety.

 

Canadian Avalanche CenterPlease click the logo to view the Canadian Avalanche Center Bulletins

 

What you should know...

Every backcountry user should be well prepared and travel with experienced backcountry users. Each member should carry an avalanche transceiver on the 457 KHz frequency and carry equipment for self-rescue.

Our avalanche advisory is updated regularly during the winter season from November through to June. Our hours of operation page has opening and closing dates and times for our winter season. Whistler Mountain's avalanche forecasters post bulletins updating the status and stability of the snow in the backcountry based on snow surveys taken from both within and outside the ski area boundaries.

Be aware that conditions may change and sometimes vary from one slope to the next.

 

 

INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS TO GARIBALDI PARK VIA WHISTLER MOUNTAIN TENURE

Please note that access to Garibaldi Park via the Symphony Chair road will no longer be available during times when avalanche closures are in place at the bottom of Harmony Chair. The Singing Pass Trail will be the alternate access. Backcountry access tickets will only be sold if the avalanche signs are open or if there is a strong likelihood that they will be opened after avalanche control is conducted. There may be times when the avalanche closures remain in place all day. Whistler Blackcomb has unfortunately been forced to adopt this policy due to the increasing numbers of guests who are using the park access route to enter into closed avalanche terrain that is within the ski area boundary.