Six Guests Involved in Back-to-Back Inbounds Slides at Blackcomb

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, Whistler Blackcomb experienced two separate inbounds avalanches that involved a total of six guests. These Whistler Blackcomb inbound avalanches both occurred on the Blackcomb side of the resort in expert-only terrain.

The first slide was reported at approximately 10:11 a.m. in an area known as Bushrat. Three skiers were involved in this initial incident; however, all were unharmed, and the site was cleared by patrol within forty minutes.

Less than two hours later, a second avalanche occurred in Sapphire Bowl. This incident also involved three individuals, one of whom required a rescue from Blackcomb Ski Patrol. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either event.

The slides follow a period of extreme weather in the Sea-to-Sky region. Heavy rainfall and a significant spike in temperatures have created an unstable snowpack. Freezing levels recently rose to nearly 3,000 meters, causing rain to fall on high-elevation snow. Indeed, these Whistler Blackcomb inbound avalanches serve as a stark reminder of how weather patterns can rapidly change mountain safety.

Avalanche Canada issued a "High" danger rating for the region following these events. Forecasters explain that the rain creates heavy, saturated snow sitting on top of lower-density layers, making the pack highly reactive.

At TGR, we’ve spent three decades documenting the world’s most technical lines, and we know that respect for the mountain is the first rule of engagement. While fatal inbounds avalanches remain rare at North American resorts, these incidents serve as a critical reminder that "inbounds" does not mean "zero risk". Always check local advisories and ensure your gear is dialed before heading into expert terrain.