Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong northwest winds will make it easy to trigger a wind slab avalanche 1 to 2’ deep above treeline. Blowing snow, shooting cracks, and firm snow indicates you are traveling in terrain where this problem exists. The safest option is to search for softer, wind sheltered snow. There is a small chance someone could trigger a large avalanche 2 to 6’ deep above 2,500’ especially where the snow is thin.

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It has been a tragic week of fatal avalanche accidents in the lower 48. In addition to the accident involving a large group outside of Lake Tahoe, there were two fatal accidents in the past two days in Utah. Our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, and all of the responders involved. All investigations are ongoing, but preliminary information may be found at sierraavalanchecenter.org and utahavalanchecenter.org.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: A wind slab avalanche was triggered on Raggedtop Mtn yesterday. Two natural avalanches were reported in Girdwood Valley on 2/14. 

    Strong northwest winds averaging 20 to 30 mph have been howling overnight and are expected to continue today especially in Portage and along Seattle Ridge. This will make wind slab avalanches 1 to 2’ deep easy to trigger above 2,500’. Blowing snow is a red flag telling us that these are likely forming under ridgelines, convex rolls, and gullies. The snow underneath you may feel firm or you may see shooting cracks, all indicators you are in wind slab country. Steering clear of steep wind loaded slopes and looking for wind sheltered areas below 2,500’ will be the safest option to avoid this problem.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    This deep persistent problem just won’t go away. We have seen it slowly gain strength which is a good thing, but it is hard to completely trust a weak layer especially when the avalanche could be 2 to 6’ deep. Thinner spots in the snowpack such as near ridges and rock exposed slopes are places where it will be easier to trigger one of these avalanches. Below 2,500’ a stout crust has made snowpack conditions safer if you want to avoid this problem.

    (2/19/2026)

    Crown of the ~Feb 14th avalanche. The deepest part of the crown is probably 6' deep.

    Photo: John Sykes

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