Looking back at photos from March 2011 feels like looking at a different planet.
Lately, we’ve gotten used to watching the weather apps with a bit of anxiety as spring approaches, hoping the freezing levels behave. But back on March 6, 2011, we weren’t just “holding onto” a snowpack—we were completely buried in it.
Here is a look back at a photo session at Sproat in the Whistler backcountry and a reminder of what a true, heavy-metal Pacific Northwest winter looks like.
The Cold, Hard Stats: The Winter of 1,579 cm
To put these photos in perspective, you have to look at what the atmosphere was doing back then. The 2010–2011 winter was a powerhouse La Niña year:
- 10 Meters by Mid-February: By February 17, 2011, Whistler Blackcomb had already blown past its entire seasonal average, crossing the 1,025 cm mark.
- The March Hammer: In the first two weeks of March alone, the storm track locked in and dropped 8 feet (240 cm) of fresh snow on the valley and alpine.
- The Record Setter: The season wrapped up with 1,579 cm of cumulative snowfall—making it the snowiest winter recorded at the resort in decades.
When we headed out on March 6, the mountains didn’t just have a base; they had been completely reshaped. Huge pillow lines that usually require precise transitions were filled in like giant, soft steps. Cliffs had massive, clean landings, and the trees were heavily ghosted.
Behind the Lens: A Day of Two Seasons
The day actually started out surprisingly warm and sunny. We got to enjoy some of that rare, bright morning light in the alpine, but in true Whistler fashion, the window didn’t stay open for long.
By the afternoon, the clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped, and it started dumping snow.
Here are some photos from the day.
