Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The weather looks relatively quiet today, but there are a few problems to consider when making your plan. The main concern is the chance of triggering a large avalanche above 2,500' on weak snow buried up to 4' deep. While this has become less likely over time, there are greater chances of this happening in Summit Lake than the other zones. This can be completely avoided by choosing low angle slopes. Natural and human-triggered loose snow avalanches were reported yesterday related to sun and warm temperatures. The same conditions are expected today on south facing slopes.

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We learned of another fatal avalanche accident yesterday that occurred in Montana. Last week there was an accident involving a large group outside of Lake Tahoe, and two fatal accidents in Utah. Our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, and all of the responders involved. Preliminary information may be found at mtavalanche.com, sierraavalanchecenter.org and utahavalanchecenter.org.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind speeds in Summit Lake finally came down overnight, but are expected to pick back up later in the day. After 4 days of strong wind there is very little snow available to move around and create fresh wind slabs. Older wind slabs may be reactive longer than normal due to some weak snow that formed in a break in weather before the winds came. These could be up to 2' deep in heavily wind loaded places, but for the most part should be on the small side.

    There was a group on Raggedtop last Thursday that triggered an avalanche, but they were able to ski out. They had chosen a slope with no terrain traps and a clean runout, which are great ways to reduce our vulnerability if we get caught.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Natural wind slabs occurred last week especially towards the beginning of the wind event, but it is difficult to determine where and how big with crowns getting filled in so quickly. There were two human-triggered avalanches in Girdwood last week that are the same type we are concerned with in Summit Lake. These happened in Raggedtop Bowl last Thursday. Check out the reports here and here.

    The snowpack on the north side of the Girdwood Valley is more similar to the Summit Lake snowpack than the Turnagain Pass snowpack. The person that triggered the avalanche in Ragged Bowl on Thursday described seeing shooting cracks and triggered a whumpf in a windblown area at the saddle of Raggedtop Bowl. Noticing these red flags, along with active wind transport, they decided to choose a slope that looked less wind loaded. They also described choosing the slope they skied based on the lack of terrain traps and a good runout. These are good ways to reduce your chances of a serious outcome if you get surprised. 

    Loose Snow Avalanches: The loose snow avalanches reported yesterday were small, but they can grow larger as they entrain snow on their way down. It's important to escape these as soon as possible to avoid getting carried over a cliff or into trees.

    Cornices tend to fail with warming temperatures, which should be the case today. Avoid spending time underneath cornices and give them space on the ridge as they tend to break back further than expected.

    (2/22/2026)

    Wind slabs seen from Tenderfoot yesterday.

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