Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Multiple layers of buried surface hoar in the top 2' of the snowpack is still concerning, particularly in areas above treeline but as temperatures begin to drop today, the snowpack will start cooling and promote better stability at and below (~2,500') treeline elevations.  If venturing into the alpine today, choosing terrain with lower slope angles will help mitigate the potential of triggering a persistent slab avalanche.  Additionally, the glide cycle continues with new glide avalanches reported in the Girdwood, Turnagain Pass, and Summit Lake areas this week. 

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Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    We haven't seen any human-triggered avalanches on the buried surface hoar in more than 10 days now.  That is a good sign and over time, these layers will become less reactive.  That said, skier traffic has been pretty minimal this week and it's possible we just haven't found another trigger point. 

    Three layers of buried surface hoar continue to plague the snowpack in our region.  Persistent weak layers are notorious for giving us bad information, or no information before they fail.  The good news is that at and below treeline (< 2,500') in areas we've seen rain this week, incoming cold temps should begin to insulate these weak layers from the weight of a skier by forming a surface crust.  Expect the surface to begin freezing today below ~ 2,500'.  Unfortunately this is going to make for dismal surface conditions as cold temps funnel into the forecast area.

    There is still dry snow to be found in the alpine (> 2,500'), but this is where skiers and riders are more likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche 1-2' deep given our poor snowpack structure.  If you make it to the alpine today, recognize there is some uncertainty with how touchy conditions may be as we simply have not had much traffic this week.  Practice safe travel habits, dial back slope angles, and avoid terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, and glide cracks.

    (12/1/2025)

    This layer of surface hoar was about 6" deep at around 2500' on Tenderfoot. It was buried by the Thanksgiving storm.

    Photo: Andrew Schauer

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Another day, another report of glide avalanches.  This one was caught in motion on Tri tip, in the Summit Lake zone.  Over the past 48 hrs, we've had reports of glide avalanches failing in the Girdwood Valley, Turnagain Pass, and Summit Lake areas.  These are large, full depth, destructive avalanches that are impossible to predict when they release.  In many of our zones, it's hard to avoid glide cracks right now.  Minimize time spent underneath these brown frowns and keep an eye out for even small surface cracks or surface innundations.  We've had several instances over the past few weeks of glide avalanches failing with minimal or no obvious surface clues.  

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