Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The danger is CONSIDERABLE for WIND SLAB and PERSISTENT SLAB avalanches above 3,500'. The danger is MODERATE below 3,500'. 

New snow and intense overnight winds will have built fresh drifts that will be sensitive to trigger today. Human-triggered avalanches remain likely. Natural avalanches are unlikely today, but the risk may increase should the sun come out in the afternoon. 

The likelihood of triggering a large avalanche will increase as you climb in elevation, and while less likely today, avalanches could run into lower elevations. It will still be possible for avalanches to break deeper and wider in areas where new storm snow and drifts have formed over weak, sugary snow below. 

Use deliberate assessment and travel protocols if you step into steep terrain, and consider seeking lower-elevation, lower-angle terrain.

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The Hatcher Pass road remains closed above the Gold Mint Lot (MP 14). Check Alaska 511 for more information. 

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Sunday was our final scheduled forecast of the season. However, we have decided to continue to issue danger ratings during this ongoing storm cycle. Once the weather becomes more settled, we will transition to issuing general information products on Mondays and Fridays or as conditions warrant. Thank you to everyone who donated, joined us for events, or submitted observations. 

DONATE - HPAC is a nonprofit avalanche center, meaning our fundraising doesn't come from the state or federal government. We rely on local businesses and community support to bring you the most accurate avalanche information for Hatcher Pass. Donate here to contribute to our Spring Fundraising Drive. Any amount is encouraged, thanks to a generous donor; all gifts will be matched up to $5k until May 1.

Survey- If you read the forecast, submitted an observation, saw our social media, or even if you just enjoyed the snow at the Pass this winter, please fill out this brief survey to help us better understand Hatcher Pass and how we can improve our messaging and information. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Over 3 feet of new snow has fallen at upper elevations since last Wednesday afternoon. You can expect the size and depth of new snow problems to increase as you climb in elevation. At mid- and upper-elevations, where winds have drifted snow, thicker, more reactive slabs of new snow will have formed. Wind slabs will be soft, and it's unlikely you'll find the typical hard, hollow wind slab out there. Rather, you will find soft slabs of wind-drifted snow along the sides of steep gullies, near ridge lines, or in any wind-exposed terrain. 

    You can manage this problem by seeking lower-elevation, lower-angle terrain and avoiding gullies and terrain traps where avalanche debris could collect. Today is a day to make careful assessments and consider avoiding avalanche terrain, where human-triggered avalanches are likely and can be big enough to carry and bury a person. 

    Springtime is variable and dynamic, making managing avalanche problems difficult, as conditions can change rapidly with aspect, elevation, and time of day. Low- and mid-elevations might appear safe, but could be threatened by avalanches above.

    WET LOOSE:

    Low elevations have very wet, isothermic snow. At lowe elevations, avoid steep gully sidewalls and terrain features that could make a small wet snow avalanche more consequential. As you gain elevation, keep in mind that we are in the time of year when even a short break in the clouds could elevate the likelihood of wet loose avalanches. If you travel in terrain at mid and upper elevations today, pay attention to signs of warming such as rollerballs, pinwheels, and wet, gloppy snow. Craggy rocky outcroppings will begin to shed snow, and small point releases will entrain snow as they move downhill, creating large, dangerous avalanches. Avoid lingering under steep slopes late in the day.

    (4/23/2026)

    Strong gusting extreme winds were sustained yesterday afternoon into last night as snow levels lowered, likely building new wind slabs above 3,000'. 

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Recent snow has loaded buried weak layers, and you may still be able to trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 2-4' deep. There is some lingering uncertainty about how reactive sugary snow in the now mid and lower snowpack will respond to the last week of new loading. What makes us uneasy is the recent lack of visibility to see how weak layers are responding to recent snowfall. It is best to treat these buried weak layers as guilty until proven otherwise.  

    You are most likely to encounter these pockets on northerly slopes in steep and extreme terrain above 35 degrees, where weak snow lingers below old, buried wind crusts. Skiers last Friday found weak snow buried below old crusts and intentionally triggered a small slide. There are exceptionally weak layers in our snowpack, and additional weight accumulated over the last week of incremental snowfall could render these stubborn to trigger, but higher in consequence due to their depth. The shading above represents where you are most likely to find old wind crusts above facets, but be wary of any slope where you find this setup. It would not be impossible to find this structure on a solar aspect at upper elevations, where now-buried, brittle melt-freeze crusts overlay sugary snow below.

    (4/8/2026)

    These wind slab and crusts over weak faceted snow as seen in this picture are now buried by over 3' of snow in the upper snowpack in areas above 3,500'. 

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

RECENT AVALANCHES: 

Over the last several days, visibility was limited, but skiers and forecasters on Monday reported recent soft slab avalanche activity near Marmot, and on the south side of the road. Additionally, skiers in the IM bowl intentionally triggered a small slide on buried weak layers after triggering a small avalanche in wind-drifted snow over the weekend. On Monday, a party of backcountry skiiers reported avalanche debris crossing the road at Archangel. During a break in the weather, forecasters were able to observe multiple soft slab avalanches around Punk Spines and lower Marmot paths.

Tuesday, a natural slab avalanche on the north side of Hatch Peak was viewed from the Lodge during a break in the clouds (see below). In the evening, Avalanche Risk Solutions (Lucky Shot Mine) observed a widespread natural mid-storm soft slab cycle on the west side of the forecast area, with some isolated persistent slabs strewn across north-facing aspects and a few late-storm, shallower wind slabs. There were indications of settlement and warming with some rollerballing and wet loose on southerly aspects. Thanks to ARS for the photos below. 

Check out the observation page for more information on these avalanches and recent reports. Observations are limited due to road conditions. 

 

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