Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

We are entering a period of stable high pressure weather. Lingering wind slabs around 1' deep from the NW winds the past few days and glide avalanches are our main concerns. Wind slabs will be possible for a person to trigger today, especially on steeper slopes at upper elevations. Fresh glide avalanches have occurred in the past few days so we recommend you avoid traveling underneath glide cracks whenever possible. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Motorized Access:  The Forest Service has opened Johnson Pass north trailhead and the Summit area to motorized use. You can see riding area status on the Forest HERE.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs are expected to be around 1' deep and located along ridgelines and convex features at upper elevations. We expect them to be stubborn for a person to trigger but still possible in steeper terrain. Keep an eye out for hollow feeling pillows of snow and shooting cracks to identify areas with lingering wind slabs.

    In areas with a thinner snowpack, such as near Crow Creek in Girdwood or on the southern end of Turnagain Pass near Johnson Pass Trailhead buried weak layers may exist in the snowpack. So we recommend taking some time to evaluate the snowpack before committing to steep terrain. 

    Cornices along ridgelines and dry loose avalanches on steep slopes are additional hazards to look out for. The cold temperatures will likely make dry loose avalanches run faster and potentially increase in size. So we recommend having a plan to manage your sluff if you are skiing in steeper terrain.

    Glide avalanches also continue to be a concern. We observed a fresh glide avalanche yesterday and recommend trying to avoid traveling underneath glide cracks whenever possible.

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