16.02°C Vancouver

Feb 16, 2021 6:41 PM -

Whistler-area avalanche conditions 'tricky,' says expert after two recent deaths

Share On
whistler-area-avalanche-conditions-tricky-says-expert-after-two-recent-deaths
Children make their way up a closed Whistler Mountain to toboggan in Whistler, B.C. Sunday, March 15, 2020. An Avalanche Canada snow expert says a recent cold snap followed by snowfall in British Columbia's south coastal region has resulted in unusual and tricky conditions in mountain areas frequented by back country enthusiasts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

An Avalanche Canada expert says a recent cold snap followed by snowfall in British Columbia's south coastal region has resulted in unusual and tricky conditions in mountain areas frequented by backcountry enthusiasts.

Ilya Storm says last week's cold winds from the north and east, followed by weekend snowfall, has created slabs of snow that are not bonding well with mountain surfaces, especially in the Whistler area.

Whistler RCMP reported two deaths and several injuries after skiers and snowboarders were caught in separate avalanches in the Blackcomb Glacier and Brandywine Bowl areas.

Last December, two snow bikers died after they were caught in an avalanche near Pemberton, north of Whistler.

Storm says the current snowpack conditions are different than usual because the winds created new avalanche locations and he urges people to use caution out in the backcountry.

He says people can still head into the wilderness, but they must be cautious and know the area they are visiting.

Latest news

airport-improvements-support-economic-growth
BCJun 25, 2025

Airport improvements support economic growth

Communities that rely upon regional airports, heliports and water aerodromes provincewide will benefit from funding provided through the Province of B.C.’s Air Access Program. “Through the B.C. Air Access Program, we’re supporting upgrades to airports that will improve access for vital communities across our province,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “These improvements to our rural and regional airports will help keep British Columbians connected and our economy on the move.” This year, the Province is investing $6.2 million through the BC Air Access P
canada-sees-continued-decline-in-both-us-and-foreign-visitors-statistics-canada
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Canada sees continued decline in both US and foreign visitors: Statistics Canada

Canada is seeing a continued decline in both US and foreign visitors, with the latest report from Statistics Canada showing that in April, travel to Canada by US residents fell 8.9 per cent year-on-year, while travel to Canada by other foreign residents fell 0.6 per cent. This is the third consecutive month that travel to Canada by US residents has declined and the seventh consecutive month that travel by other foreign nationals has declined. According to Statistics Canada, the decline in foreign visitors to Canada was driven by a decline in people coming from Asia, who were down 12.6 per
statement-from-the-mayor-urging-federal-government-to-designate-extortion-gangs-as-terrorist-organizations
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Surrey Mayor urging federal government to designate extortion...

Today, I am joining calls for the federal government to declare the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and any other groups involved in extortion and violence targeting Canadians of South Asian descent as terrorist organizations under Canadian law. Whether these groups operate locally or internationally, this designation is a critical step in equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to dismantle these dangerous networks and protect our residents and businesses. The violence and intimidation our community faces are unacceptable. We have seen a disturbing rise in extortions, threats of violence, an
28-charges-laid-in-northern-bc-drug-trafficking-investigation
BCJun 25, 2025

28 Charges Laid in Northern BC Drug Trafficking Investigation

Four individuals have been charged following a 14-month drug trafficking and firearms investigation led by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) in Northern BC. The investigation began in April 2023, targeting a drug trafficking network operating in Prince Rupert. On June 5, 2024, following a 14-month investigation, CFSEU-BC North District, in partnership with the Prince Rupert RCMP and with assistance from the Prince Rupert Coastal Unit, executed five search warrants in Prince Rupert. Investigators seized the following items: • Nine (9) firearms, incl
carney-says-canada-to-spend-5-of-gdp-on-defence-by-2035
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Carney says Canada to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035

NATO allies, including Canada, have agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP over the next 10 years. This means that Western countries, including Ottawa, are going to invest heavily in defense by 2035. The new target was approved during a NATO summit in the Netherlands today, a significant policy victory for President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte opened the meeting by praising Trump for increasing defense spending. The five percent target is divided into two parts, with the first 3.5 percent focusing on core defense needs, including fighter jets and weapo

Related News