Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is HIGH above 3500' for STORM SLAB and PERSISTENT SLAB avalanches. Between 2500 and 3500' the danger is CONSIDERABLE. Below that, the danger is MODERATE

Heavy snowfall is creating dangerous avalanche conditions at upper elevations. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely.

Moderate to heavy snowfall throughout the day will increase the avalanche hazard. The additional weight of this new snow could stress our weak snowpack and produce large avalanches that funnel into gullies and run into lower elevations.

Heavy precipitation, poor visibility, instability, and thick wet snow will make travel and route-finding difficult. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. 

Avoid gullies and terrain traps at mid and low elevations where avalanches from above could concentrate. 

Today is a great day to get your bike tuned up and throw a coat of spring wax on your skis so you're ready when the storm breaks. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Today is our final scheduled forecast of the season. We're ending on a high note. We will continue to track this storm and issue 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

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Over 1 foot of new snow has fallen at upper elevations since Wednesday afternoon. Moderate to heavy snow today will increase the chance of triggering slides failing within the new snow. This problem will exist on any steep slope above about 2500', and you can expect the size and depth of new snow problems to increase as you climb in elevation. At upper elevations, where winds have drifted snow, thicker slabs of new snow will exist.

    You can manage this problem by seeking lower-elevation, lower-angle terrain and avoiding gullies and terrain traps where avalanche debris could collelct. Today is a day to stay out of avalanche terrain, where natural avalanches large enough to bury a person are likely.

    Springtime is variable and dynamic, which can make managing avalanche problems difficult, as conditions can change rapidly based on aspect, elevation, and time of day. Low and mid elevations might appear safe but could be threatened by avalanches above. Simply put: this is one of the largest storms of the season for Hatcher's weak snowpack. Give the snowpack time to adjust before testing it with your weight. 

    (4/17/2026) Skier-triggered slide at upper elevations within the new wind-drifted snow. 

  • 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 2-3' deep.

    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 friday found weak snow buried below old crusts and intentionally triggered a small slide. As the weight of new snow accumulates, this problem could become more likely and widespread. 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.

    (4/17/2026) Skiers yesterday intentionally triggered a small slide, failing on weak snow in the upper snowpack. This happened after triggering a small new snow avalanche. 

Avalanche Discussion

Conditions are challenging; the mountains harbor a wide variety of problems—from weak snow buried over 2 ft deep on the northern half of the compass, to a more widespread new snow problem. As new snow accumulates, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche will increase. These are the days that catch recreationists and professionals alike off guard—where new snow and hazard increase with elevation and conditions at the trailhead are not representative of what you'll find in the starting zone. Springtime is often associated with big lines, long days, and stable conditions, but the bottom line is this is the most significant storm cycle Hatcher Pass has seen in almost 2 months. Snow doesn't like change, and today the snow is getting a lot of that: recent load, recent wind drifting, and rapid warming. Choose your terrain carefully today, and if you are riding in steep terrain, only expose one person at a time, and seek terrain free of terrain traps like gullies, cliffs, or exposed rocks. 

RECENT AVALANCHES: 

Yesterday, visibility was limited, but skiers reported some small soft slabs and point release avalanches in upper elevations. 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. Check out the observation page for more information on these avalanches. 

Regions covered