Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Human-triggered avalanches on buried weak layers 1 to 2' deep remain possible today. We recommend carefully choosing terrain to avoid terrain traps like gullies, cliffs, or trees to limit the potential for being buried or injured if you trigger an avalanche. There is a good chance of loose snow avalanches in steep terrain, either in dry snow or on steep south-facing slopes where the surface snow is heating up in the sun in the afternoon.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of a fatal avalanche accident that occurred on March 27. One skier was caught in an avalanche near Lake George and did not survive. We have published a preliminary report in our accident database, and will update that page with more information if it becomes available. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends, and the guides and responders involved. Additional information may be found in this statement from Alaska State Troopers and this article from ADN.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: There was an avalanche fatality near Lake George, outside our forecast areas, on Friday. Within our forecast areas, we did not receive any reports of human-triggered avalanches over the weekend. Last weekend, there were many human-triggered avalanches at the interface with the latest storm snow about 1' deep, including one accident with a skier fully buried and injured on Max's and some remotely triggered avalanches. 

    Since the last storm on March 18-20th, we have seen mostly clear skies, cold temperatures with solar warming in the afternoon, and relatively light winds. Despite this lack of recent weather input, there are still a few weak layers in the upper 2' of the snowpack that we are concerned about, which could cause human-triggered avalanches. At this point, we expect these avalanches to be stubborn to trigger, but due to the persistent weak layers involved, it is possible to trigger an avalanche with no warning signs beforehand. 

    You can always avoid this hazard by sticking to lower-angle slopes.  However, if you get into avalanche terrain, we recommend carefully considering the runout and avoiding any terrain traps like cliffs, gullies, or trees that could increase the consequences if you get caught off guard and trigger an avalanche on one of these buried weak layers. Of course, we always recommend travelling one at a time in avalanche terrain, spotting your partners, and grouping up in a safe zone to limit your group's exposure to avalanche hazards. 

    Loose Snow Avalanches remain likely in steep terrain. These will be easy for a person to trigger, and can be a concern in consequential terrain. With partly cloudy skies expected today, it is unlikely we will see significant natural activity.

    (3/29/2026) Slab avalanche with animal tracks near the crown on Goat at about 3000' Photo: Willie Webster

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