News story about the avalanche warning in effect at the time:

Avalanche warning issued for Sea to Sky
Public Safety

December 29, 2011

Authorities issued warnings on Wednesday (Dec. 28) for people thinking of heading into the 
backcountry throughout much of B.C. after heavy, wet snow increased the risk of avalanche danger.

The danger rating in the Sea to Sky area including Whistler was high in the alpine and at 
treeline as of Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 26), according to the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC). 
Backcountry travel was not recommended, with avalanche conditions described as "very dangerous."

The danger rating was expected to remain high today (Thursday, Dec. 29) and drop to considerable 
in the alpine and at treeline on Friday (Dec. 30).

Numerous Size 1 to 2 slab avalanches (both human triggered and natural) were reported early in 
the week, primarily in wind affected areas, the CAC's website said. The size and likelihood of 
avalanches was expected to increase through the week.

A Size 2 slide was triggered accidentally in the Spearhead Range on Monday (Dec. 26), resulting 
in some lost skis.

"It was a close call... but fortunately no full burial or injury (was reported)," the site said.

Meanwhile, Whistler Blackcomb's (WB) backcountry avalanche advisory for Wednesday rated the 
danger at high in the alpine and considerable at treeline. The forecasted danger level for 
Thursday and Friday was considerable in both the alpine and at treeline.

"Natural loose and wet Size 1 avalanche activity is running in steep terrain below treeline. Be 
aware that all of this new snow is also loading into weak shallow snowpack areas. These old facet 
weaknesses from November are just waiting for the right trigger to cause them to collapse and 
propagate into the surrounding terrain. Careful route finding will be very important after every 
storm cycle for the next little while," the WB advisory states.

Official Advisory Info:

Note: This is archived for a fatal incident near Pemberton on Friday 12/29.
As of 12/31 the CAA has no archived bulletins available. This is the closest 
we could find and is from the Google cache. It covers the general region and 
mentions the sea-to-sky area although the bulletin specific to that area 
would be better were it archived. This also has danger ratings through Thursday,
the day before the incident.

So this is not the most applicable bulletin that would have been available the
day of the accident but is representative of conditions in the general area on
the days leading up to it.

Avalanche Forecast - Sea-to-Sky   
Date Issued   Monday, 26 December 2011 4:12 PM   	   	
Valid Until    Tuesday, 27 December 2011 4:00 PM

    * Public Avalanche Forecast
    * Forecast Details
    * Technical Analysis

Danger Rating: 

            	Wednesday 	Thursday
Alpine 	        4 - High 	4 - High
Treeline 	    4 - High 	4 - High
Below Treeline 	4 - High 	3 - Considerable

Confidence: Fair - Timing of incoming weather is uncertain

Travel and Terrain Advice

    * Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended without advanced training and extensive 
	   experience.
    * Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
    * Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous Size 1-2 slab avalanches have been reported in the past 48 hours, primarily in wind 
affected terrain near ridge crests. Expect the size and likelihood of avalanches to increase 
through the forecast period.

Snowpack Summary

The new snow continues to pile up with an additional 15-25cm falling Sunday through Monday 
afternoon. Touchy wind slabs up to 60cm deep have formed on north through east aspects in response 
to strong SW winds. A weak rain crust is found below the new snow up to treeline elevations. This 
crust may sit on top of buried surface hoar and/or facets may persist 10-20cm below. Watch this 
layer as it gets more load and a thick cohesive slab develops, particularly below treeline where 
the buried surface hoar would be especially large. A strong mid pack overlies basal facets that 
have also gained considerable strength. Snow depths are at approximately 150cm at treeline in the 
Spearhead area and 180cm at treeline in the Brandywine area.

Weather Forecast

A series of frontal systems will continue to affect the region over the next few days. In general, 
expect 15-25cm of snow each 12 hour period, with moderate to strong W-SW winds, and fluctuating 
freezing levels (FL). Tuesday: 30-40cm, heaviest in the evening/overnight. Strong SW winds, rising 
overnight. FL around 800-1000m gradually rising. Wednesday: 25-40cm, heaviest overnight. Strong 
W-SW winds. FL rising to 1600-1800m. Thursday: 20-35cm. Strong SW winds. FL lowering to 1000m.