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Backcountry Update

AS OF TUESDAY, MARCH 14

It has been a stormy week, with cold temperatures and snow to the valley bottom. Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 60 centimetres to the Sea to Sky region, which has been accompanied by strong wind from various directions. Another storm cycle is expected to hit on Thursday, and will bring additional snow (forecasts are calling for up to 20 cm) and wind. Reactive storm slabs, wind slabs, and cornice fall have been the name of the game, and will likely persist through the weekend. The weather outlook shows continued cold temperatures, reverse winds from the east, and periods of sunshine.

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This may create new avalanche problems in unexpecting terrain. Wind slabs could form on opposite slopes, catching you by surprise. Periods of sun may trigger loose dry and wet surface avalanches from steeper terrain features. The March sun can weaken and change the snow surface rapidly, even if the air temperature remains cold. Just 30 minutes of sun at this time of year can have a significant effect on the snowpack. Watch out for wind-loaded areas and continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

It’s also important to remember that this is not a typical coastal snowpack. A persistent slab problem is lingering in areas west of the Sea to Sky Highway. A persistent slab problem can catch backcountry recreationists by surprise, because the hazard is not always obvious. Avoid areas where the snowpack is shallow, like rocky start zones, wind-affected terrain near ridge crests, steep terrain where the snowpack is shallow, and areas where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.

Continue to select more conservative terrain and practise good travel techniques, like not having your whole group on a slope at the same time and having your escape route mapped out before committing to a line. Larger triggers like cornice falls or smaller surface avalanches may be enough to step down to the deeper layers, initiating very large and destructive slab avalanches.

As always, be sure to track the forecasts and advice at avalanche.ca to get the most up-to-date information before heading out for the weekend. ■

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 surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountain-info/ snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.

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FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN INVITATION FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Regional Districts are required to adopt a five-year financial plan, setting out the proposed expenditures and funding sources for each service. The financial plan is to be made available for public consultation.

Accordingly, members of the public are encouraged to provide written submissions and comments on the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District’s 2023-2027 Draft Financial Plan Submissions and comments should be forwarded to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District by one of the following means:

Mail: Box 219, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0

Email: info@slrd.bc.ca

The 2023-2027 Draft Financial Plan is available for review on the SLRD website at: www.slrd.bc.ca.

Call For Funding Applications

Applications are now being accepted for our April 1st, 2023 Spring Funding Deadline

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support to community groups and charities whose activities provide benefit to residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts & culture and the environment Special emphasis is placed on children, youth and family programs For more information, eligibility requirements and to complete an application, please visit our website at whistlerblackcombfoundation com Or contact Mei Madden, Executive Director at mmadden@whistlerblackcombfoundation.com

����� �� �������� Zoning Amendment Bylaw - No Public Hearing to be Held

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2 RM-CD2 Zone) No. 2390, 2023 (the “proposed Bylaw”)

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Subject Lands: The lands that are the subject of the proposed Bylaw are shown on the map

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