The avalanche risk in the Sea to Sky region has gone from extreme on Friday (March 1) to considerable on Sunday afternoon (March 3).

Canadian Avalanche Centre is recommending careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making as essential at alpine and treeline elevations.

As well, Highway 99 between Lillooet and Mount Currie, also known as the Duffey Lake Road, was closed in both directions after a rock slide 10 km south of Lillooet on Sunday morning.

According to Whistler Blackcomb officials as of Friday afternoon (March 1) the hill had received 40 centimetres of snow over the prior 24 hours and 55 cm in the past 48 hours. The forecast is anticipating up to 35 cm over the next 24 hours with 20 cm expected on Friday night and 15 cm during the day on Saturday (March 2).

Grouse Mountain and Cypress were closed on Friday due to the Pineapple Express weather system in the area causing wet and rainy conditions.

The Canadian Avalanche Centre recommended backcountry users stay off recent wind loaded areas until slopes have a chance to stabilize, avoid sun exposed slopes where solar radiation is strong and start with low angled slopes and test the bonding of recent storm snow before considering steeper objectives.

The CAC website also encouraged caution with respect to persistent slabs at all elevations and slopes.

"Persistent weaknesses have been touchy recently and can increase the size and consequence of avalanches," stated the website.

On Whistler Blackcomb the Peak 2 Peak was closed Friday due to windy conditions, along with all other lifts into alpine terrain.

Go to www.avalanche.ca for more information on the avalanche rating.