Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

People continue to trigger large and dangerous avalanches and tragically one resulted in a fatality yesterday. The snowpack remains unstable despite the quiet weather. Triggering a large slab 2 to 3 feet deep that fails on buried surface hoar can still occur today and for the foreseeable future. These slabs can propagate across entire slopes, be triggered from below, and are happening on slopes with tracks already on them. The best way to enjoy the snow without worrying about an avalanche is to stay in lower angle terrain and avoid being under steep slopes.

*We are worried our message isn't reaching everyone. Please help get the word out on the dangerous nature of avalanche conditions at Turnagain Pass.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Avalanche Accident: We are deeply saddened to report that a snowmachiner passed away in an avalanche on the backside of Seattle Ridge yesterday at Turnagain Pass. This occurred in Warmup Bowl, also known as -1 Bowl. AK State Troopers will be conducting the recovery today and we ask that people avoid the area. Avalanche Center staff will be visiting the site and will compile a preliminary report today with a full report as soon as possible. Media report HERE.Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all those involved at this incredibly difficult time.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Lingering wind slabs may be found in the higher elevations due to a bump in easterly winds yesterday evening. These should be generally shallow, possibly up to a foot deep at most. Watch for them along ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies. A small wind slab has the ability to trigger a larger slab breaking in the buried surface hoar. 

    The sun should shine in many places today. If it warms enough to melt surface crusts on solar aspects and dampen the snow watch for wet loose avalanches. Warm sunny slopes can also produce slab avalanches. Just more reasons to stick to those mellow slopes. 

    Other concerns to keep in mind are giving cornices a wide berth, especially as we head into spring and they start to peel off. Lastly, minimizing time spent under glide cracks is key as these can release anytime into a large avalanche. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Yesterday a large avalanche was triggered by a snowmachiner on a NE facing slope in Warmup Bowl on the backside of Seattle Ridge. The avalanche caught the snowmachiner who was fully buried and did not survive. The avalanche was estimated at 2-3 feet deep and around 750 feet wide (pictured here). We are still gathering details on the events of the accident and rescue efforts. Two days ago on Friday there were 4 human-triggered avalanches that were reported on the backside of Seattle Ridge with no one being caught. 

    Avalanche conditions remain dangerous despite the generally quiet and sunny weather. Triggering a large slab that is 2 to 3 feet deep remains possible. These avalanches have the ability to propagate across slopes, as was seen yesterday, and be triggered after many tracks are on a slope. They can also be triggered remotely, meaning from the bottom, side, or top of a slope. Several of the slabs triggered on Friday were triggered remotely. These avalanches are occurring on all aspects on slopes above 2,000'.

    The issue is a layer of buried surface hoar that we've been talking about for a month now that keeps creating avalanches. This weak layer is now 2-3 feet deep and even after this much time, still a problem. It can be very hard to assess the issue because the snowpack can 'feel' just fine and snowpack tests can show it's not reacting, then all of a sudden a large avalanche gets triggered. What this means is the snowpack cannot be trusted regardless of how many tracks are on a slope or what your snowpit tests say. Persistent weak layers are notorious for being unpredictable, but this one is even more so. To still get out in the mountains and enjoy the snow, you can always stick to the low angle slopes with nothing steeper above. 

    (3/22/2025)

    Photo of the fatal avalanche in Warmup Bowl on the backside of Seattle Ridge. We plan to visit the site and get additional photos and information today.

    Photo: Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center

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