San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Researchers Ian McCammon and Sara Boilen are developing new tools for managing human factors for backcountry skiers and boarders. This survey asks about personal experiences with human factors and will take 7-8 minutes to complete. Link is HERE. Thank you for your help!

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The historic March heat wave melted much of the backcountry coverage on the San Francisco Peaks.  Spring to summer like conditions are in effect with temperatures 20-30 degrees above normal.  Unless there's a drastic weather shift, KPAC operations are suspended for the season.  Thanks to the greater Flagstaff community and to all our supporters!  

Please refer to the archives page for the most recent avalanche forecasts. You can also view the observations page and the weather tabs at kachinapeaks.org for more information on conditions.

Consider donating or becoming a sponsor if you value our work and would like to see forecasts 7-days  a week in the future!  

Avalanche conditions can dramatically change in a few hours. Those entering backcountry areas should be ready to continuously assess conditions and be prepared for any inherent avalanche dangers they may encounter. If you get out, please submit your observations or email us at [email protected]. 

Isolated areas of snow-based recreation remain present across the forecast zone.   Good turns on spring corn are viable, especially on less insular aspects.  However, accessing these zones and the associated egress requires extensive hiking over dry ground and patchy snow.  Thorough pre-trip planning and a knowledge of the terrain are useful if you plan to go out.  

The historic heatwave has been in place for nearly two weeks and has vaporized almost all of the snowpack on lower elevations and on any slope with a southern tilt.  Slopes with snow above 11,000'-11,500' will be hard or frozen in the early morning, but expect such slopes to soften early.  Be aware of low snow hazards such as rocks and downed trees.  Plan your tour timing to avoid slushy snow or sinking into the snowpack.  These signs, along with roller balls, are all signals that you could trigger a small wet loose avalanche, and that it's time to move to a more shady slope.  Tour with a partner, and develop a travel plan for the day.  Make preparations for emergencies and have a plan for egress out of snowy areas.  All of these general procedures help protect not only your own safety, but also are part of general backcountry etiquette.  

In the early morning, ski or splitboard crampons could be helpful, as is micro-traction for hiking over snowy patches.  Most slopes have smoothed, but some hard surfaces are still present at higher elevations on north facing aspects.

Conditions update (3/27/2026):  Snow surfaces at levels above 11,500' continue to freeze at night and soften in the day.  Traction in the form of ski or snowboard crampons, microspikes or crampons remain beneficial in the early morning.  Snow depths in deposition areas in the Humprey's Cirque are ranging from 70-120 cms.  In general, the snowpack is isothermal, with early afternoon ski penetration ranging  from 3-6cms, and no reports of natural wet loose avalanches.  Surface conditions have become smoother and more uniform.  Some ski cuts have produced small surface releases and small roller balls, especially by mid-afternoon, when the snowpack becomes overly soft and smushy.  Continue to be aware of the possibility of small wet loose avalanches on more solar aspects late in the day.  

To learn more about various spring scenarios, please check out this webpage from Avalanche Canada.  (Note, that the U.S. North American Danger Scale does not include an icon change from spring conditions.)

For the latest information on conditions and snowpack, remember to check the observations page.   

For information on weather and forecasts at the 11,500' elevation band, check out the weather tab at the  KPAC website.

If you have any questions or would like to contact us, please email:  [email protected]