Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

As new snow and east winds impact the area today, the likelihood of natural and human-triggered avalanches up to 1' deep will increase throughout the day. These are most likely along ridgelines at upper elevations. We're also tracking a buried weak layer 2–4 feet deep that could produce very large avalanches in the alpine. You can completely avoid the problem by staying off large, steep slopes and steering clear of overhead avalanche paths.

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Join us Friday, Feb. 13, for the annual Snowball fundraiser! This event is a collaboration with the Alaska Avalanche School and is always a fun way to support two nonprofit organizations that provide avalanche information and education in our area. Silent auction, beverages, hors d'oeuvres, and music by Hope Social Club! Tickets and event info at alaskaavalanche.org

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: There have not been any recent avalanches reported since the start of the weekend. After the wet and stormy weather last week, we saw less natural avalanche activity in Summit Lake compared to the surrounding areas due to lower precipitation totals. 

    A much-needed refresh of snow is on the way today. Let's hope that we end up on the higher side of the forecasted storm totals, which could bring up to 6" of new snow to Turangain Pass, Summit Lake, and Snug Harbor. In favored areas like Girdwood, Portage, and near Seward, 8 to 12" of new snow are possible today with rain line forecast to stay below 500'. Strong east winds will accompany the new snow, with averages of 30 to 40 mph and gusts of 60+mph throughout the day. 

    As the new snow piles up and east winds redistribute it throughout the alpine, the likelihood of natural or human-triggered avalanches up to 1' deep will increase throughout the day. These are most commonly found along ridgelines and exposed terrain features near treeline and above. Looking for places where snow is being transported by the wind, shooting cracks on steep test slopes, and feeling for hollow pillows of wind-blown snow on leeward slopes are good ways to identify the type of terrain features where wind slabs could be triggered today. 

    Dry loose avalanches (sluffs) are also likely on steep terrain features where the new snow might not bond to the icy old snow surface very well.  

    NWS Anchorage Snowfall Forecast February 10, 2026

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The persistent slab seems to be trending in the right direction in Summit Lake, following a similar pattern to the rest of the forecast zones. However, given the track record of this weak layer and thinner overall snowpack in Summit Lake, we still think the likelihood of triggering an avalnache 2 to 4' on the December facets is higher compared to surrounding forecast zones. The most likely place to trigger a very large avalanche on this layer is in a thin spot in the snowpack where the weight of a skier can penetrate through the icy surface crust and impact the buried weak layer. 

    The west side of the highway in Summit Lake tends to have thinner snow coverage and might be more likely to harbor unstable snowpack conditions. If you experience any collapsing (whumphing) in the snowpack, that is a sure sign that this weak layer still has the potential to cause human-triggered avalanches. You can always choose simple, low-angle terrain and steer clear of overhead avalanche paths to avoid this problem entirely.

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