Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest 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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is forecast to rise above treeline as strong winds will blow snow into touchy wind slabs around 2’ deep. Dry loose avalanches could be more dangerous on steep slopes that have trees and cliffs. Above 2,500’ there is a small chance of triggering a large avalanche 2 to 6’ deep on weak, faceted snow where the snowpack is thin such as on wind scoured ridges. Be wary of blowing snow and steep, wind loaded slopes, choosing wind sheltered and less consequential terrain as a safer option. 

____________________________

Join us TOMORROW, Feb 15th for a Free Avalanche Rescue Clinic! Located at the Glen Alps Trailhead, all are welcome! There will be a wide range of rescue scenarios for both beginners and seasoned backcountry enthusiasts. Session 1 – 10am to 12pm | Session 2 – 1pm to 3pm. Limited rentals and space available. Register here.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Several small wind slabs were reported on the Library ridgeline and on Seattle Ridge, likely releasing on Wednesday. 

    Triggering a touchy wind slab avalanche will increase as ridgetops winds from the southwest are forecast to ramp up today with 40 mph gusts in the afternoon. These may be around 2’ deep at higher elevations where a combination of new and old snow will rapidly blow into wind slabs below ridgelines, in gullies, and below convex rollovers. Shooting cracks, and blowing snow are clear red flags a wind slab is forming on the slope you are traveling on. They may feel stiff underneath you and may not release as an avalanche until you have made several turns down the slope.  The safest bet is to choose terrain sheltered from the wind. 

    Dry Loose Avalanches: Dry loose avalanches will be easy to trigger in steep terrain and will be more dangerous on slopes where you could get pulled into trees or off cliffs. If you start to feel the snow releasing underneath you try to traverse away from the moving snow and allow it to move past you. 

    (2/11/2026)

    Small wind slab or storm slab in Zero Bowl. 

    Photo: John Sykes

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    It has been almost 2 weeks since we have heard of an avalanche releasing on a layer of weak, faceted snow deeper in the snowpack. A combination of warm temperatures and a stout crust up to 2,500’ is making it less likely to trigger a large avalanche 2 to 6’ deep. That being said, we are still not ready to write this problem off yet. There is a higher chance of triggering an avalanche above 2,500’ where the crust is unsupportable and where the snowpack is thin. Unfortunately, this is a difficult problem to assess in field tests. The safest option is to avoid big slopes with long connected ridges and terrain traps below you. 

    (2/12/2026)

    Snowpit at 3,400 ft on Sunburst highlighting unstable test results on the December facet layer (ECTP27).

    Photo: Marc Heifetz

Regions covered