Five avalanche deaths in B.C. this season. Will we see more in March?
With March being the most dangerous month for avalanches, experts advise skiers and snowboarders to familiarize themselves with terrain and carry essential safety gear, including beacons and shovels.
As we enter into March, we have already seen at least five avalanche fatalities across B.C. since December 2025.
The deadly avalanches have been widespread across the province, spanning from the South Coast to the Rockies.
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And now we are in the most dangerous month for avalanche fatalities, historically.
Over the past 20 years, there have been 69 avalanche fatalities in March, compared to 47 in January and 46 in February.
There are several factors that contribute to those high figures.
There are a few reasons this is the case. Up until this point, we have had the majority of the winter to build up weak layers.
As well, the days are getting longer and more people are getting out into the backcountry, and we are seeing big winter storms mixed with warming events. On top of that, the sun can destabilize the snowpack quickly.
Zoe Ryan, an avalanche forecaster with Avalanche Canada, says now is the time to go back to the basics.
Those include understanding the terrain you are skiing in, know if it is an avalanche zone, know the steepness of the runs, and watch out for any dangers like cornices.
It is also important to make sure you at least complete the Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST 1) course and take all your safety gear with you.
While avalanche fatalities have decreased in the last 20 years with the help of updated equipment, more reliable avalanche forecasting and better education, forecasters believe that we will continue to see dangerous weak snowpacks as a result of the changing climate.
So, it is important to continue to make smart choices in the backcountry, especially in March.