Avalanche forecast

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche hazard is considerable at all elevations in our continental zone. Below 3000 feet, it is possible for a person to trigger an avalanche 1 foot deep on a layer of Buried Surface Hoar. Widespread areas of weak snow at the bottom of our snowpack may be sensitive in steep rocky terrain with thin snow. These deeper avalanches have a low likelihood but high consequence.  Use careful terrain management to avoid exposure to large, steep slopes. 

 

Public avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday-Sunday at 8 am. 

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow exists at the bottom of the snowpack at all elevations. This layer is expected to be shallower, weaker, and more sensitive in the continental zone. This is a low likelihood but high-consequence situation. Thinner areas of snowpack with weak layers closer to the surface will be most likely to be sensitive and could propagate into connected deeper snowpack, causing a destructive avalanche. The best way to avoid this problem for now is to stay off steep, rocky terrain where the snowpack is thin enough that a rider may be able to stress buried weak snow. 

    The hazard in our continental zone will remain Considerable, where the snow is weaker, thinner, and more easily effected by human triggers.  

     

    (1/23/2026)

    Large connected natural hard slab avalanche associated with our deep persistent weak layer. Mt Dimond north face

    Photo: Gareth Brown

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2

    Persistent weak layers have been an issue in our snowpack for a while now.  Large surface hoar (1cm+) found up to 3000feet, has been buried 1 foot deep by recent storm snow. Minimal reactivity or signs of instability have been associated with this layer in Thompson Pass and our continental zone. We will likely see increased sensitivity on this layer with additional snow loads and stiffening of overlying snow in the near future. For today, human-triggered avalanches 1+ foot deep are possible below 3000 feet on specific slopes over 35 degrees. Areas that have been loaded or affected by the wind will have increased sensitivity.  Cracking or settling of the snowpack while travelling will indicate you are on sensitive snow that could produce an avalanche.  Buried surface hoar can take a while to gain strength, so you can expect to hear more about this layer in the future. 

    Windslab: Isolated windslabs and areas of windrifted snow will have increased sensitivity today. Be cautious on slopes with notably deeper or stiffer snow on the surface. 

    Natural slab avalanche failing on buried surface hoar, on a small terrain feature.  

    Benzene Alley 1/27

    Photo: Gareth Brown

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours:  None

Forecast Discussion

Persistent weak layers have been a main concern for much of our season. This type of problem can stick around for quite some time and may become dormant before reactivating with new snow loads or changes within the snowpack. We will be continuing to track recently buried surface hoar, as well as lower snowpack facets and depth hoar near the ground.

 Buried surface hoar has been very reactive in the maritime zone but relatively inactive in other zones so far. 

Deep persistent weak layers are the weakest below 3000 feet in shallower snowpack. Upper elevations with deeper snowpack have slowly been gaining strength, with thinner areas remaining weak at their base. 

For more information regarding our snowpack, see our Season summary, Observations, and avalanche activity sections. 

Regions covered