Lawinenlagebericht

Chugach State Park

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

***Bottom Line Update 3/17/26: Recent northerly winds formed fresh wind slabs up to 2’ deep in the Chugach State Park. Although winds have decreased, these slabs remain sensitive to triggering. Careful route finding is essential—seek sheltered terrain with soft snow and avoid wind-loaded slopes.***

Weak, faceted snow buried up to 1' deep beneath lingering wind-drifted snow is the most likely way to trigger an avalanche. Deeper faceted weak layers also remain in the snowpack and could still be triggered in thinner areas. Careful travel in avalanche terrain is recommended—seek wind-sheltered slopes with soft snow.

SUNDAY OUTLOOK: Triggering an avalanche on the buried facet layer remains possible Sunday. Winds may increase slightly in the evening, and with about a foot of low-density snow available for transport, even light winds could form fresh slabs on leeward slopes. Avoid steep, wind-loaded terrain with thin coverage in the alpine and mid-elevations.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

TODAY: Join CNFAC for the annual Turnagain Pass Avalanche Awareness Day from 12–4 PM at the motorized lot! In addition to free burgers and hot dogs, you can run rescue drills, chat with forecasters, and demo sleds with AMDS, Anchorage Yamaha/ Polaris. Meet the forecasters and partners from the Alaska Avalanche School, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, and Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs. Come refresh your skills, talk snowpack, and eat a hot dog or three!

UPPER HUFFMAN: The Glen Alps Recreation Area is open to snowmachines; riders access from Upper Huffman parking lot. For more information,  visit the Chugach State Park website.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Recent Avalanches:  Three skier-triggered avalanches were reported in Chugach State Park this week, with one natual wind slab avalanche likely started from a cornice fall. Two small wind slabs occurred near Powerline Pass on Monday during a wind event—one remotely triggered and one skier triggered. No one was carried in either slide. The third was a large skier-triggered wind slab on Harp Mountain during Wednesday evening’s wind event; the skier was carried but not fully buried. Everyone was okay.

    Several weak, faceted layers remain in the snowpack, including near-surface facets formed during recent cold, clear weather, multiple mid-pack weak layers, and facets near the ground. Two of the four avalanches triggered this week likely failed on the near-surface facet layer beneath freshly wind-drifted snow. Additional faceted layers exist deeper in the snowpack; although no avalanches have been observed on these layers since January 28, they remain a concern. A person could potentially trigger one of these layers from a thinner part of the snowpack. Avoid shallow areas connected to larger wind-loaded slopes.

    (3/11/2026)

    Snow structure of several weak, faceted snow layers within the snowpack on Wolverine Peak. 

    Photo: Marc Heifetz

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    There is a slight chance winds could increase Saturday evening, potentially forming wind slabs up to 1' deep. With roughly a foot of low-density snow available for transport, even light winds could quickly build slabs on leeward slopes. Watch for warning signs such as shooting cracks and firm, punchy “styrofoam” snow. Avoid steep, wind-loaded terrain in the alpine and mid-elevation bands.

    (3/12/2026)

    Skier triggered wind-slab at the new/old snow interface on Harp Mountain on Wednesday evening. Everyone was okay. 

    Photo: Peter Wadsworth

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