Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Glide cracks continue to release as large glide avalanches so the safest option is to avoid spending time under them. Wet snow avalanches may become more concerning if slopes heat up in the afternoon. We are also still wary of a layer of surface hoar buried 4 to 6’ deep that may be easy to trigger from a smaller avalanche. Choosing slopes that have smaller start zones and do not have terrain traps in them are safer options if you get into avalanche terrain.

MONDAY’S AVALANCHE OUTLOOK: Overnight winds look to become moderate from the southeast (10 to 20 mph) accompanied with up to 5” of snow falling near the coast. Turnagain will likely receive a trace of snow. This should not dramatically change the avalanche danger but there may be wind blown snow falling on a crust. Small wind slabs may exist in upper elevations on steep slopes.  Otherwise, the main concerns will be the same as today. We will publish our next forecast on Tuesday.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Motorized Closures: The Chugach National Forest has closed all winter motorized use areas due to low snow coverage, except for the Turnagain Pass/Seattle Ridge area. Visit our Riding Areas page for more information.

End of Season Operations: We have transitioned to our late season schedule. We will issue avalanche forecasts on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for the second half of April. We will issue our final forecast of the season on Sunday, April 27.

Risk management research: If you have been traveling in avalanche terrain for at least one season and want to help avalanche researchers develop new tools to assist individuals with managing risk in avalanche terrain, check out this 1-2 minute survey. Participants will be entered to win prizes from Jones Snowboards, BCA, and more!

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Glide cracks continue to open and release as large avalanches and there are still many glide cracks that have not released. Yesterday a large glide avalanche ran into the valley between Petes North and Petes South in Turnagain Pass. Look for glide cracks on slopes as you travel which look like brown frowns. The safest option is to avoid traveling under them but if you must, spend as little time as possible to decrease your exposure. 

    Wet loose avalanches will be easier to trigger as temperatures increase in the afternoon. These will also be more likely on sunny slopes if the clouds arrive later than expected. Rollerballs are indicators that the snow is wet enough to trigger a wet loose avalanche. Wet slab avalanches are unlikely but have a higher potential on sunny slopes. Keep this in mind as we move into a spring snowpack. 

    This is the time of year where it is safer to start your trip earlier in the day and choose shadier slopes later in the day. East mountain faces tend to warm up in the morning followed by southerly and west faces. You can test snow stability by seeing how deep your boot sinks into the snow. If you sink in boot deep the snow is unstable and the safest option is to move to slopes in the shade.       

    Cornices will be more likely to fall on sunny slopes especially if the clouds arrive later in the day. They usually form on ridgelines above you so try to avoid spending time under them especially if the slope is in the sun. The weight of a person standing on them can also cause them to fall so give them a lot of room on ridgelines. 

    (4/19/2025)

    Glide avalanche that released over the past two days on Petes North Mtn.

    Photo: Daniel Krueger

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    We are still concerned about a layer of surface hoar buried 4 to 6’ that created many human triggered avalanches almost a month ago. It is still found intact in some snowpits which means that it has the potential to produce a large avalanche. This layer seems to be harder to trigger but may be easier in spots where the snowpack is thinner. It is also possible that a wet loose avalanche may trigger a much larger avalanche failing on this layer. 

    This has been a tricky layer to feel good about riding on because it may not be found in snowpits or gives stable results and then someone triggers an avalanche on the same slope. Think about this as you travel if you get into avalanche terrain today. Consider choosing slopes with runouts that fan out and do not have terrain traps such as gullies in them where snow could pile up. Smaller start zones and slopes without cliffs and trees are also terrain features that could decrease the odds of being injured if an avalanche did release.

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