Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The avalanche danger remains LOW as active weather avoids the area. 

Conditions are variable but generally stable. It may be possible to find and trigger small, shallow wind slabs on steep, upper-elevation slopes. 

Your best bet for good snow and soft turns will be on lower-angled slopes in mid and upper-elevation, sheltered terrain.

Continue to practice safe travel protocol and be on the lookout for firm, variable surfaces. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Join HPAC for the next State of the Snowpack at Blue & Gold in Wasilla on February 26th at 7pm. 

Avalanche Discussion

For the past two weeks, Hatcher Pass has experienced settled weather and increased stability. While periods of cool temperatures have worked to improve surface conditions, some warming, recent wind, and increasing sun effect have created more variable surfaces on solar and upper-elevation terrain. It has been over two weeks since we've received any significant precipitation. We're on track to break the drought streak we experienced in late December and early January, not the trend we've been hoping for. The North Pacific low that's pushing into the northern gulf is unlikely to bring anything but warming temperatures to Hatcher Pass. Many parties have been out sliding and riding without any reported avalanches.  Conditions are generally stable, however, there is a small chance you may encounter isolated pockets of unstable snow in steep terrain. Softer snow and better riding will be easier to find on lower-angled, sheltered slopes at mid and upper elevations. 

  • It may be possible to human trigger small, shallow WIND SLABS 2-5'' deep that formed Friday and early Saturday above 3500' on West to North aspects. While these will be easier to find on the front end of the forecast zone near Arkose Ridge and Government Peak, parties are still observing them closer to IM and the northern part of the forecast area. Watch out for firm or hollow feeling lenses of snow or shooting cracks in wind-loaded areas. Although relatively shallow and isolated, these could be stiff enough to take you off your feet in consequential terrain. 
  • Be aware of overhead hazards like CORNICES which may be present on leeward aspects across our advisory area, and can release unexpectedly. If you're traveling along or underneath ridgelines, give cornices plenty of room, since they often break further back than we'd expect. Warming temperatures could lead to sagging and natural release. 
  • Forecasters and the public continue to track areas of poor structure and PERSISTENT WEAK LAYERS of snow buried near the ground. These layers have been unreactive to both snowpit tests and backcountry travelers, and until something changes we're not expecting this problem to present itself in the forecast area. 
  • A prolonged period of settled weather has created mostly "NORMAL CAUTION" conditions. While the forecast area is generally stable, be ready to encounter variable conditions and isolated areas of loose or shallow instabilities. These will be most consequential for parties navigating steep, upper-elevation terrain, just below ridgelines. 

RECENT AVALANCHES:

No recent avalanches have been observed or reported in the forecast area since 1/27. 

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