Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It will be unlikely to trigger a large avalanche on a layer of buried facets near the ground. This type of problem is a low probability, high consequence situation. Steep slopes above 2,500’ will likely have areas of thin snow which would be the place to trigger a deep slab avalanche. Lingering wind slabs may be a little reactive in wind loaded terrain such as below ridges and in loaded gullies. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Free avalanche outreach events next week on the Kenai Peninsula!

  • Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kenai River Brewery in Soldotna from 6:00 to 7:00 pm - Join forecaster Daniel Krueger to talk about the state of the snowpacks and useful backcountry tips and tricks. More info here.
  • Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Breeze Inn Hotel in Seward from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Join forecaster Mik Dalpes to talk about the state of the snowpacks, mapping resources, and how to interpret stability tests. More info here.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    There is still the unlikely chance that a human could trigger a large avalanche above 2,500’ on buried weak layers near the bottom of the snowpack. A natural avalanche on John Mtn we think released on Thursday could have failed on one of these weak layers. The most likely place to trigger this type of avalanche is where the snow is thin like near exposed rocks and on slopes further south in Summit Lake. Some of the big steep bowls that look tempting to ride have less than 3’ of snow. This is definitely thin enough for a human to trigger an avalanche. If you choose to get into the alpine on steep slopes, consider terrain with clean run outs, good safe zones, and expose one person at a time.  Even though Summit Lake has received less snow from this last wave of storms look out for lingering wind slabs that may be a little easier to trigger than expected if they are sitting over a weak layer. 

    Glide Avalanches: Glide cracks are still opening and could release anytime into a large avalanche. Look for these on slopes above you and try to avoid them whenever possible.

    (2/12/2025)

    Snowpit at 3500' on Colorado showing the structure and how thin the snowpack is in Summit Lake. 

    Photo: Caleigh Warner

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