Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

Highlights

Girdwood and Turnagain Pass are avoiding the outflow wind event, but there are still chances a person could trigger an avalanche up to 2' deep within the new and windblown snow from Friday's storm. There are higher chances of this occurring in Girdwood in wind protected areas. Dry loose avalanches may be growing larger during these clear and cold conditions. Ensure runouts are clear to avoid a serious outcome or choose low angle slopes to avoid both of these problems.

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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: We got a report of a skier-triggered avalanche on Sunday on Notch Mountain in Girdwood. This avalanche was seen in a similar location to a natural avalanche that was reported on Saturday. Several small avalanches were seen on Seattle Ridge on Saturday. Many small dry loose avalanches have been triggered by riders the last few days on steep slopes.

    This is one of those times when conditions are different within the same forecast zone. There are much lower chances of a person triggering a slab avalanche in Turnagain Pass than in the Girdwood Valley. The storm and wind slabs that formed during the storm on Friday are lingering, especially in Girdwood, due to a layer of weak snow (facets) that formed prior to the storm. This weak snow is most problematic in wind protected places like Notch Mountain and maybe a few isolated places in Turnagain Pass, where it is now preserved under the new snow.

    Red flags may not be present with this type of problem, but a whumpf or shooting crack is a clear sign that the snowpack is unstable and choosing a lower slope angle is a good plan. 

    There are very good chances a person will trigger a dry loose avalanche, or sluff, on steep slopes anywhere soft snow exists in this zone. Clear skies and cold temperatures are causing the surface snow to become more weak and unconsolidated. Dry loose avalanches may become larger as a result, so ensure the runout is clear of rocks, trees, and cliffs in case you get caught up.

     

    (3/8/2026)

    Small human-triggered dry loose avalanches on steep slopes on Sunburst on Sunday

    Photo submitted anonymously

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