Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at upper elevations and MODERATE at mid elevations. Below 2,500 feet, danger is LOW.

Watch for freshly formed drifts of new snow at upper elevations. Snowpack cracking or collapsing are signs that you could trigger a WIND SLAB avalanche. 

While less likely, you may be able to trigger PERSISTENT SLAB avalanches in isolated terrain across the forecast area. 

You can simplify your decision-making by choosing lower-angle slopes or slopes free of terrain traps like gullies, cliffs, or exposed rocks. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Join us for our next State of the Snowpack chat on Wednesday, January 14th, at the Blue and Gold Boardshop in Wasilla with guest speaker Adam Sullivan, the mountain manager from Skeetawk.

Winter is here! Come and celebrate with us at the 8th Annual HPAC Cabin Fever Reliever on Saturday, February 7th! More info and tickets here. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Strong winds this morning have likely formed fresh drifts or stiffened the snow surface at upper elevations—especially near ridgelines or near the tops of peaks. 

    Watch for freshly formed dunes of drifted snow, a textured snow surface, or freshly formed cornices near ridgelines. Signs such as snowpack cracking or collapsing are clues that you have found this problem. New snow today, and flat light conditions may obscure signs of recent wind loading. While these avalanches may start small, they may entrain more snow as they move downhill, increasing the consequences of a small slide in steep terrain. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    For over two months, our thin snowpack sat stagnant, faceting and rotting under cold, clear skies. Periods of extreme winds in December scoured this thin snowpack or created dense, isolated slabs. This is now the base of our snowpack. This week, 1.5-2.5 feet of low-density snow fell across the forecast area. It is still possible to trigger an avalanche 2-3.5' deep on old weak snow near the ground, on all aspects at mid and upper elevations. 

    • Avalanches will be more likely on slopes steeper than about 30°. This is a problem you can manage by keeping your slope angles shallow. 
    • Avalanches will be easier to trigger on smooth, firm slabs formed in gullies during December's wind, where the terrain could amplify the consequences of even a small avalanche. 
    • Whumphing and collapsing of the snowpack are indications that there is weak snow failing near the ground. Hand pits and pole probes will help reveal if you're traveling over old, weak snow or firm slabs.

    Good travel protocol can help limit the consequences of an avalanche. Travel one at a time, choose safe points to stop, and keep eyes on your partners.

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

You may be able to trigger freshly formed drifts near ridgelines or the tops of peaks. Expect the size and likelihood of triggering a wind slab avalanche to increase as you climb in elevation. While less likely, a skier or rider could trigger larger avalanches failing on weak snow near the ground. On Thursday, skies near Mircodot triggered a small slide, failing on weak snow below thin wind crusts formed in December (Observation). You can manage these problems in a few different ways: 

  • Seek simple terrain that is less than 30 degrees in steepness.
  • Watch for signs like snowpack cracking or collapsing, especially near ridge lines where recent wind may have formed sensitive drifts. 
  • Dig down and assess for weak snow near the ground, or below thin mid-pack crusts. You're unlikely to find trouble where last week's snow fell on bare ground or ice. 

If you do enter steep terrain, take a moment to consider the consequences. Many avalanche paths are still lacking consistent coverage near the toe of slopes, and taking a ride in an avalanche could result in injury from being dragged into rocks. 

Recent Avalanches:

Thursday, a party triggered a small avalanche on the bench below Microdot. Another experienced local encountered audible collapsing while ascending Eldorado before turning around. Several parties skied the south ridge of Marmot and began working into steeper terrain without consequence. On Wednesday, forecasters in the field observed a number of storm slabs that failed naturally during or late in the storm on Tuesday. See all recent observations here.

Regions covered