Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2,500' for WIND SLAB avalanches. Above 3500', there is still a chance you could trigger a PERSISTENT SLAB avalanche. 

Wind slabs 1-2' deep will become more stubborn today as recently transported snow continues to set up. 

While less likely, it still may be possible to trigger an avalanche deeper in the snowpack at upper elevations in steep, northerly terrain where slabs sit over weak, sugary snow. 

To manage heightened avalanche conditions, avoid steep, convex start zones, and travel one at a time on suspect slopes. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Winter is here! Come and celebrate with us at the 8th Annual HPAC Cabin Fever Reliever on Saturday, February 7th! More info and tickets in the pinned post and on our website at hpavalanche.org.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong Southeast winds built slabs on the 27th and 28th, triggering a natural avalanche cycle. Yesterday, winds gusted above 25 miles per hour for most of the day, carrying most of the remaining snow that was readily available to transport in Hatcher Pass. 

    Freshly formed wind slabs will be poorly bonded to crusts left over from last week's above-freezing warming cycle. You are most likely to trigger wind slab avalanches up to 1-2' deep on leeward slopes below ridgelines and in crossloaded gullies. 

    Be on the lookout for smooth, firm, and hollow-sounding snow surfaces. Shooting cracks and collapsing are signs that you have found yourself on unstable snow. Pole probing and hand pits are good tests for this problem as you travel. 

    Just another windy day in Hatcher Pass: Easterly winds blew strong gusting extreme most of the day yesterday (1/29). Expect to find freshly formed wind slabs today that will be possible to human trigger. 

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    While trending unlikely, it may be possible to find a pocket of weak, unstable snow in upper elevations on northerly aspects where slabs still sit over weak sugary snow. Your chances of finding and triggering a persistent slab avalanche up to 3' deep will be highest near shallower, rocky terrain on northerly aspects. 

    We do know that more than a week of warmer weather contributed to healing. However, over the last weekend (1/24-1/25), we saw limited slope testing in steep and exposed terrain, coupled with continued propagation in snowpit stability tests. This has left some lingering uncertainty about the lifespan of our last persistent slab problem. Basal facets and depth hoar showed some signs of rounding in snowpits, but the advanced, angular nature of these grains will make them slower to resolve.  

    With new slabs still on suspect aspects today, consider avoiding steep terrain above 30 degrees adjacent to rocks that may still harbor this structure. Manage suspect slopes by skiing or uptracking one at a time. 

    (1/28/2026)

    A natural slab avalanche in Eldorado Bowl that was triggered some time during 1/27-1/28--an indicator that you could still find shallow pockets of poor structure lingering after our warmup period. 

    Photo: Fallon Connolly

Avalanche Discussion

The December Drought--the source of weak, sugary snow at the base of our snowpack--shifted to a welcomed warmup over the January 18th-24th period. A solid, consistent week of warming created strength in our existing snowpack, which we have observed throughout the forecast area. Our paradigm shift started on Sunday night (1/25), when we received a trace amount of wet, heavy snow, which turned into a proper refresh by late Monday, early Tuesday. In total, we got 8-10" of snow and close to 1" of SWE since 1/25. With a quick shift to colder temperatures before this most recent snow, the 1/25 crusts got gently buried. 

Untouched surface snow did not last long. Overnight on the 27th, strong Southeasterly winds blew sustained at 25 miles per hour+ with gusts upwards of 50 starting in the afternoon and blew until 2 AM the 28th. Yesterday, winds clocked to the East/Northeast and gusted above 25mph most of the day, also with gusts upward of 50mph. Snow surfaces have been impacted--many windward slopes appear scoured, or have thick, stiff crusts or breakable wind skins. If you are not familiar, this is known as "variable" surface conditions. Thanks to the 1/25 crust (never thought I would say that), we locked in some of our snowpack, which has helped Hatcher Pass resemble real winter. However, expect snow grains above and below to have begun the faceting process. This layer will be a new one to watch as winter continues. 

RECENT AVALANCHES: 

Several natural avalanches were observed on 1/28 that likely occurred in the night or early that morning as wind speeds peaked. These include slides in Marmot Gullies, west-facing Marmot, Skyscraper, Eldorado, the north-facing aspect of 4068', and Wimp Bowl. Also on Wednesday, skiers on President's Ridge triggered two small avalanches while traveling. See all recent observations here.

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