Considerable avalanche risk in South Coast alpine

If your weekend plans include snow activities around the South Coast, you’re being reminded to be aware of the avalanche risk.

The Avalanche Canada danger rating in the alpine across areas including the North Shore mountains and Whistler is listed as considerable for Friday through Sunday.

The agency says a considerable danger level means natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered avalanches are likely.

Avalanche Canada says during a considerable danger rating, “careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making (are) essential.”

The organization is recommending people who plan to be out in the alpine snow “choose conservative terrain … and give the storm snow time to bond.”

“Storm slabs will be most reactive on high north-facing terrain,” Avalanche Canada explains. “Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.”

North Shore Rescue avalanche safety officer André-Jean Maheu says the weather is expected to affect the snowpack, which means an increased risk of glide avalanches.

“Because it has no strength, the bonds with the ground floor become very weak,” Maheu said. “Fortunately, on the North Shore there’s not a whole lot of places where we have terrain for glide avalanches, but that’s certainly what I’m thinking of this weekend.”

People are also told to watch conditions as temperatures rise and to give cornices a “wide berth” when on or below them.

Despite a blast of winter weather earlier this month, temperatures have been rising across parts of the province.

With files from David Nadalini.

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