Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Above 3500', the avalanche danger is MODERATE  for  WIND SLAB avalanches. PERSISTENT SLAB avalanches remain a concern in upper elevations where the snowpack is weak and shallow.  Elsewhere, the hazard is LOW.

Many slopes are generally stable. Don't rule out the possibility of finding a rogue wind slab in isolated terrain below ridgelines, in couloirs, or along the sides of steep gullies. Triggering larger avalanches failing near the ground is unlikely. Steep, rocky slopes where the snowpack remains shallow are the most likely place you could find trouble. 

Special Announcements

On Tuesday, February 24, and Wednesday, February 25, Skeetawk will be working in coordination with the Alaska DOT to conduct explosive mitigation training. Training will be focused on and below Frostbite Ridge. Visit the Skeetawk website or check their social media for more information. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Strong northerly winds at the end of last week built thin drifts on the southern half of the compass. As winds have eased and shifted, this has become a more isolated issue, but don't rule out finding the rogue wind slab in steep terrain below ridgelines, or mid-slope in cross-loaded gullies. 

    Watch for signs of wind-affected snow, including a scalloped snow surface, dunes of wind-drifted snow, or actively drifting snow loading a slope. Signs like snowpack cracking or collapsing are clues that you have found this problem. 

    (2/21/2026)

    Small skier-triggered slide in Eldorado Bowl.

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow near the ground remains on our radar in parts of the forecast area, but it has become an increasingly isolated problem.

    Although we haven’t seen recent avalanches failing on these layers, snowpit tests still show the potential for propagation, and a few skiers continue to report isolated collapsing. 

    The most likely places to encounter this issue are steep, open, rocky slopes at upper elevations where the snowpack is still relatively thin and shallow. 

    Additionally, on slopes that have remained exceptionally thin, last week's snow and wind may have formed fresh slabs over weak snow. In those spots, the problem may initially resemble a wind slab, but slides could break wider than you expect. 

    Overall, this concern is limited to thinner, rocky, wind-stiffened areas rather than the majority of terrain.

    (2/4/2026)

    A persistent slab avalanche in Eldorado Bowl from 1/28

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures today could soften the snow surface on sunny slopes. While the strong sun is unlikely to create widespread wet snow problems, you may see small, sun-induced sluffs in steep, rocky terrain plastered with snow. These are easy to manage—avoid lingering beneath slopes receiving direct sunshine. Yesterday, skiers reported snow shedding off rocks on solar aspects, and similar conditions are possible again today.

Looking ahead to the work week, snow showers could bring a few inches of accumulation to Hatcher Pass. It’s still too early to have high confidence in this system, and totals may not warrant an updated forecast. However, if you’re out during or shortly after snowfall, watch for isolated upper-elevation concerns such as fresh wind slabs or small dry loose avalanches.

RECENT AVALANCHES:

Skiers this weekend triggered small wind slab avalanches in steep wind-loaded terrain. Thursday, 2/12, a party triggered a D1.5 soft slab on the southwest aspect of Marmot at about 4,300'. On Friday, a skier triggered a similar slide on a similar aspect on Marmot. Last week, forecasters observed several dry, loose avalanches in steep, craggy terrain and small wind slabs on steep, wind-loaded slopes. These were all small D1s that likely ran naturally during a bump in winds on 2/10-11. We have not observed a persistent slab avalanche failing on weak snow near the ground since 1/31. See all recent observations here.

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