Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago.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 2,500'. 

Natural avalanches are possible, and human-triggered avalanches remain likely. While cloudbreaks are less likely today, rain on snow could elevate the hazard and increase the likelihood of natural avalanches.Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at upper elevations, and you are most likely to find trouble where the wind has built soft, thick drifts of new snow. The likelihood of triggering a large avalanche will increase as you climb in elevation, and avalanches could run far into the lower elevations. 

Be wary of stepping into steep terrain, and consider seeking lower-elevation, lower-angle terrain.

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 natural avalanches large enough to bury a person are possible, and human-triggered avalanches are likely.

    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:

    While unlikely given the shifting weather, if the sun comes out at all today, new snow will begin to shed, and natural loose-snow slides will become possible. Expect higher snow levels today and rain on snow to make wet loose activity more likely, especially at elevation bands where drier snow remains at the surface. 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.

    4/20 Hatch Peak Wx Station:

    On Monday 4/20, consistent moderate-strong southerly winds with extreme gusts will have built slabs with the ample snow for transport. 

    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 be able to trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 2-4' deep. We have yet to see a large avalanche failing on weak layers in the upper snowpack. 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 on 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 few days of incremental snowfall could be tipped today and help produce very large avalanches. 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, where now-buried, brittle melt-freeze crusts overlay sugary snow below.

    (4/12/2026)

    Snow Pit from before the storm on 4/12. On southerly aspects, melt freeze crusts overlay faceted snow. On norths (seen here), old buried wind slabs do. Expect it to be possible to trigger persistent slab avalanches where the wait of new snow is stressing this setup. 

Avalanche Discussion

RECENT AVALANCHES: 

Over the last several days, visibility was limited, but skiers and forecasters yesterday reported recent soft slab avalanche activity near Marmot, and on the south side of the road. On Friday, forecasters and skiers in the field overserved natural warming-induced loose snow slides on a variety of aspects late in the day. These slides failed within the new snow or at the new/old snow interface; avalanches began as small point releases, entraining damp snow as they moved downhill. 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. Yesterday, 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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