Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

Our main concern is for someone to trigger a large avalanche on a layer of weak, faceted snow buried 2 to 4’ deep above 2,500’. The safest option is to avoid steep consequential terrain for now. This includes slopes with large start zones, trees, and terrain traps where snow could pile up.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Free Forecaster Chat at the Breeze Inn in Seward, March 5! Grab some food and drink at 6pm on March 5 and join CNFAC forecaster Mik Dalpes to discuss the ‘state of the snowpack’, learn about resources on the CNFAC website, discuss tips for managing persistent slab problems, and bring your hard question for a Q & A.  The Mt. Alice room is located just off the lobby of The Breeze Inn Hotel, located at 303 North Harbor Dr. right off 3rd Ave in Seward.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Several wind slabs were reported during last week's strong northwest winds. 

    A weak layer of snow that formed in December is buried under 2 to 4’ of snow and capable of producing a large avalanche. These weak layers are still collapsing (whumpfing) on slopes above 2,500’, a clear red flag telling us the snow is unstable. Another reason why this has been an ongoing issue in Summit Lake is that the snowpack is thinner. Generally the weight of our bodies is more likely to affect a weak layer in the snow to a depth of about 3’. This means that there are many places where the snowpack is thin enough for us to trigger an avalanche on this layer. It's also important to remember that weak layers are notoriously known for appearing stable in snow tests even when the slope is dangerous. 

    The safest option remains to avoid exposing yourself to steep consequential terrain above 2,500’. This includes slopes with trees, cliffs, and terrain traps such as gullies and depressions where snow could pile up.

    (2/24/2026)

    Looking at the start zones on Colorado Mtn. 

    Photo: Daniel Krueger

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