Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The northerly winds have backed off, but could continue to average 5 to 15 mph in exposed areas. Wind slabs around 1' deep on leeward slopes are the most likely avalanches to encounter today. These could be at lower elevations than typical, as evidenced by a human-triggered wind slab at 1400' on Mt Eva near Seward yesterday. You can reduce your exposure to this hazard by sticking to lower-angle terrain with no terrain traps or by using safe travel practices to expose only one group member at a time. 

______________________________

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

We’re excited to announce the annual Turnagain Pass Avalanche Awareness Day on Saturday, March 14! We will be up in the Turnagain Pass motorized lot from noon until 4 pm, along with AMDS, Anchorage Yamaha and Polaris, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs, and the Alaska Avalanche School. Stop by to demo a snowmachine, run through some avalanche rescue drills, or just grab a free burger or hot dog and chat with CNFAC forecasters about current avalanche conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: There was a human-triggered avalanche on Mt. Eva near Seward yesterday that was about 1' deep and 75 to 100' wide. No one was buried or injured, and the avalanche occurred at relatively low elevation on a wind-loaded roll at 1400'. There was also a human-triggered avalanche on Captain's Chair yesterday, with no one caught or carried, but it happened in steep rocky terrain where the consequences could have been more severe. Neither of these occurred in the Summit Lake zone, but similar conditions could exist.

    The winds have dropped off as of yesterday, and the main concern now is lingering wind slabs that built up on leeward slopes during the past few days. These should be getting more stubborn to trigger with time, but are still possible in steeper terrain. Wind slabs around 1' deep near ridgelines or steep convex features are the most likely place to find an avalanche today. You can look for shooting cracks on the snow surface and use small test slopes to check how sensitive wind slabs are to the weight of a skier or rider before committing to more exposed terrain.

    There haven't been any signs of recent avalanche activity in the deeper weak layers that exist throughout the Summit Lake area. There is always a possibility of a smaller wind slab avalanche stepping down to these deeper layers, anywhere from 2 to 4' deep, but this is unlikely given the current snowpack setup. 

    In addition, dry loose avalanches are likely in steep terrain that has been sheltered from recent winds. These shouldn't be large enough to bury a person, but could knock you off balance in steep terrain.

    (3/10/2026)

    A couple natural dry loose sluffs on Silvertip.

    Photo: Marc Heifetz

Regions covered