Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

The main avalanche concern at Turnagain Pass are glide avalanches. This kind of avalanche is completely unpredictable, not triggered by people, and highly destructive. It is important to look for and avoid spending time under glide cracks. Otherwise, watch for old shallow wind slabs that might still be unstable in steep wind loaded terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

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

    Glide avalanches galore... Although Turnagain is well accustomed to  these types of avalanches, it still amazes me when cracks open up all over popular slopes. Over the past week there have been cracks releasing on Eddies, Tincan, Sunburst, Cornbiscuit, Seattle Ridge, and more. Take a look at the media gallery below and zoom in on the picture to the right. Spooky. As you likely know well, these release spontaneously with no warning signs other than a slowly opening crack. The good news is we can see the cracks and alter our routes to avoid them or go as fast as possible under them. 

    Despite the glide issue, there could be some lingering wind slabs from westerly winds last week. We had a report last night of a new slab avalanche ~18" deep on the north side of the lower Tincan ridge - we will try to get a look at it today. Otherwise, there have only been a couple very small wind slabs that folks have triggered along with some sluffing on steep slopes. As always, watch for stiffer snow over softer snow and cracking in the snow under you. It's good to be wary of wind loaded steep terrain. South of Turnagain in Summit Lake things are different and wind slabs are bigger and more concerning - if you haven't yet, take a look at the Summit Lake forecast!

    Snowpack depths: The snowpack at Turnagain is roughly a foot deep of icy snow at the parking lots and 5-6' deep above 2,500'. 

    (11/21/2024) Glide cracks across the easterly facing slope at the back of Cornbiscuit ridge. Photo taken from Goldpan and looking S/SW.

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