Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Over 1' of new snow and strong easterly wind are creating dangerous avalanche conditions today. Large natural avalanches may occur today especially above 2,500'. A person could easily trigger an avalanche up to 3' deep in places with new and windblown snow. A much larger and more dangerous avalanche could be triggered by a person anywhere above 1,000' on a layer of weak snow buried up to 5' deep. Enjoy the snow today by choosing low angle or simple terrain and staying away from large slopes overhead. 

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CHUGACH STATE PARK: Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in Chugach State Park. Recent snow and strong easterly wind have formed fresh wind slabs over a weak, faceted snowpack. Human-triggered avalanches are likely in wind-loaded terrain, and avalanches may step down into deeper persistent weak layers, producing large and dangerous slides. See the updated outlook from Chugach State Park for more info.

Avalanche Hazard Reduction Work: There will be intermittent traffic delays Friday January 30th, 2026 on the Seward Highway for Avalanche Hazard Reduction work. From mileposts 91 to 99 on the Seward Highway, North of Girdwood and South of Bird, motorists should expect delays of up to 45-60 minutes between 09:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Updates will be posted on the 511 system.  http://511.alaska.gov/

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent avalanches: At least one natural avalanche occurred 2 days ago during a loading event on the north side of Sunburst. The last human-triggered avalanches occurred last week, one in Warm-Up Bowl and one on Sunburst (this one was likely remote). Both failed on the weak snow that is buried up to 5' deep.

    A large amount of weight was added to the snowpack in Girdwood, Portage, Placer, and Turnagain Pass over the last 24 hours and rapid loading is still occurring with strong winds in the alpine. There are good chances a person could trigger a very large avalanche on the layer of weak snow that is now buried up to 5' deep. This could even occur in places that don't typically slide like the common slopes of Tincan and Sunburst where there are many tracks below the new snow. Getting caught in an avalanche this size could have serious consequences.

    It is very important today to stay out from underneath steep slopes. Due to the nature of this unusual weak layer, a very large avalanche could be triggered from below. If one of these avalanches is triggered, debris could run to valley bottoms. Even small features could be problematic, so avoid any slope that ends in a gully feature where the snow could pile up.

    Location New Snow in last 24 hrs Water in last 24 hrs Girdwood 5" (at 1,500') 1.4" (14 to 16" new snow above 1,500') Portage 0 5.12" (over 5' new snow above rainline) Turnagain Pass 13 1"  Summit Lake 0 (at 1,340') 0.6" (6 to 12" above rainline) Grouse Creek 0 (at 700') 1.5" (12 to 18" new snow above 2,000')

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Above 1,500' there is likely 12 to 18" or more of new snow. Anywhere that received more than 8 to 10" of new snow, Storm Slab avalanches could be easy for a person to trigger. In areas exposed to the wind, Wind slab avalanches up to 3' deep will be sensitive today to the weight of a person or machine. The weight of one of these types of avalanches could be enough to trigger a much larger and more dangerous avalanche described above. The safest thing today is to give the snowpack time to adjust and stick to low angle slopes.

    Wet loose: With rain falling on snow below 2,000' the upper snowpack is becoming saturated. Look for roller balls to know you could trigger a small wet loose avalanche. 

    (1/29/2026)

    Shooting crack on a small wind-loaded test slope at the top of the Tincan trees.

    Photo: Andrew Schauer

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