Avalanche forecast

Intermountain

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche hazard is moderate at all elevations through Thompson Pass and our intermountain zone. Below 3000 feet, it is possible for a person to trigger an avalanche 1-2’ in depth on a layer of Buried Surface Hoar. Areas of wind-drifted snow will be more sensitive today. 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

  • 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 1-2 feet deep by recent storm snow. Minimal reactivity or signs of instability have been associated with this layer in Thompson Pass and areas to the north. 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 1-2 feetdeep 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. 

    In the maritime zone, buried surface hoar below 3000 feet has been observed to be very sensitive due to stiffer and deeper snow. Recent rain has saturated the upper snowpack, potentially adding to stresses on this layer. For today, you can expect the hazard to be Considerable in the maritime zone, with human-triggered avalanches likely. 

    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

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow exists at the bottom of the snowpack at all elevations and is becoming deeply buried. In many areas, weak faceted snow is bridged by stiffer, stronger snow within the middle of the snowpack. Deeply buried layers are unlikely to produce signs of instability and will be stubborn or unreactive to triggers in most areas. This is a low likelihood but high-consequence situation. Thinner areas of the snowpack with weak layers closer to the surface will be the most likely to be sensitive and could propagate into deeper areas, 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

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