Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong northerly winds should diminish today, but there will still be chances a person could trigger an avalanche up to 2' deep anywhere that has been wind loaded in the last few days. On steep slopes, in wind protected areas, it should be easy for a person to trigger a dry loose avalanche. Watch for consequences below, and ensure there is a clear runout to avoid a serious outcome. Both of these problems can be avoided by choosing low angle slopes.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

We’re excited to announce the annual Turnagain Pass Avalanche Awareness Day on Saturday, March 14! We will be up in the Turnagain Pass motorized lot from noon until 4 pm, along with AMDS, Anchorage Yamaha and Polaris, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs, and the Alaska Avalanche School. Stop by to demo a snowmachine, run through some avalanche rescue drills, or just grab a free burger or hot dog and chat with CNFAC forecasters about current avalanche conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: I saw several new small wind slab avalanches on the southeast facing side of Madson Mountain above Kenai Lake yesterday. There were also a few new small slabs on the west side of Andy Simons Mountain, which is just to the east of the border between the Summit and Seward Zones.

    Strong northwest winds, sometimes averaging in the 30s mph, occurred in Summit Lake yesterday. With winds this strong, it is hard to say where the snow landed (if it landed at all) and wind slabs could exist anywhere above 1,000'. The typical places this problem is found include below ridgelines, just below steep rolls, and in cross-loaded gullies. Firm snow is a good sign you found a wind slab and a shooting crack means it needs more time to stabilize.

    Although we think it's unlikely, there remains a small chance the weight of a wind slab could be enough to trigger a much larger avalanche on weak snow buried up to 4' deep that formed in December. This is a low likelihood, high consequence situation that can be completely avoided by choosing low angle slopes.

    Dry Loose Avalanches - There are probably some areas that were spared by the wind. If you find yourself on a steep slope with soft snow, watch for consequences below and ensure a clear runout in case you get caught up in a dry loose avalanche or sluff.

    (3/10/2026)

    Light wind transport on Tenderfoot Monday during the wind event

    Photo submitted anonymously

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