Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Despite calm weather for several days after a storm, the snowpack in this zone is still dangerous. There are good chances a person could trigger a large avalanche 1 to 2' deep from sea level to the ridgetops. We expect these avalanches to be larger and more consequential above 2,500'. Loose snow avalanches may be triggered by a person on any aspect, but avalanches on southerly aspects will become more likely, and may occur naturally, as the sun warms the rocks and snow. These problems can be avoided by choosing low angle or "simple" terrain. Check out the ATES map for a route planning tool.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: There was one human-triggered avalanche reported on CFR Ridge yesterday, although it may have been triggered the day before. One large natural loose snow avalanche was seen yesterday on the south side of Peak 4,940' on the south end of Turnagain Pass. Over the weekend multiple people triggered avalanches on different aspects and elevations above 1,500', some of which were triggered remotely (from some distance away from the avalanche).  One of these avalanches resulted in a full buial and significant injury to a skier on Max's in Girdwood. 

    Unfortunately, the snowpack is still dangerous and it may give us less information today in the form of collapsing and avalanches, than it has in the last few days since the storm. A few layers of weak snow were buried by the storm that ended last Friday. This weak snow is not the type that bonds quickly to new snow and this problem is likely to last for a while.

    Conditions are especially dangerous above 2,500' in Turnagain and at all elevations in Girdwood, Portage and Placer. Multiple tracks may already be on a slope before someone finds the trigger spot and avalanches could be triggered remotely. The only way to completely avoid being caught in an avalanche is to choose low angle slopes for now until the snowpack can adjust to the load.

    Below 2,500' in Turnagain avalanches should be on the smaller side up to 1' deep. An avalanche of this size could still take us for a ride and cause injury or full burial depending on the terrain that lies below. Avoid riding above rocks, trees, and gullies where the snow could pile up if it slides.

    (3/22/2026)

    This skier-triggered avalanche occurred on Saturday in Warm-Up Bowl on Seattle Ridge.

    Photo: Graham Predeger

  • Loose Wet

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

    There was one large Loose Snow Avalanche reported yesterday on Peak 4,940'. Temperatures are forecast to be slightly cooler today, but there isn't much wind in the forecast to keep surfaces cool as the sun heats up the snowpack, especially in the afternoon. Sun crust has been reported on southerly aspects, which will melt as it warms. Timing on this progression is uncertain, but rollerballs are a sign that Loose Snow Avalanches are possible and these can quickly become large and unmanageable. You can switch to a northerly aspect if it looks like the snow surface is really heating up.

    (3/22/2026)

    Rollerballs look like this and are a sign that Loose Avalanches are possible. There is also a shallow slab in this photo that likely occurred during the storm that ended Friday.

     Photo: Andy Moderow

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