Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A layer of faceted snow sitting 6" to 2' deep in the snowpack is our primary concern today.  This weak snow was responsible for multiple human-triggered and remote-triggered avalanches in Turnagain Pass yesterday.  With a similar snowpack structure in the Summit Lake zone, it'll be important to keep in mind potential consequences when choosing terrain today.  The snowpack is quite reactive, particularly in steeper wind affected terrain above ~1,800'.  This avalanche problem can be entirely avoided by sticking to lower angle terrain today.  

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Many areas on the Chugach National Forest are opening to snowmachines today!  Please check the Riding Areas page for the latest info on what is open.  Areas opening today represent 'information gaps' for our team.  If getting into any of these new zones in the coming days, please consider submitting some photos/ observation to the avalanche center.  Thanks in advance!

Happy New Year form the Friends of the CAC and the forecaster team! We truly wish for good health, happiness, a stable snowpack, and snow to sea level for everyone in our community in the coming year!

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent avalanches: There was a small human-triggered avalanche on the northwest side of Tenderfoot in Summit Lake on Sunday. It occurred on a steep wind loaded slope and failed on a layer of small facets. Several human-triggered and remote triggered avalanche were observed in Turnagain Pass yesterday.  More info on those here and here.

    It appears we'll be starting out 2026 with a persistent slab problem.  The weak, sugary snow that developed during the extended 'dry December' cold snap is now buried under older wind slabs, degrading crusts and anywhere from 2-6" of low density snow that fell Monday night/ Tuesday morning in the Summit Lake zone.  The new snow by itself wasn't enough weight to tip the scale but when we add a skier or snowmachiner into the equation, we saw just how reactive this layer of facets can be.  Case in point, several human-triggered and remote-triggered avalanches yesterday in the Turnagain Pass zone.  The setup in Summit is similar, but we simply had less traffc there yesterday.  Sticking to lower angle terrain will be the best way to avoid this avalanche problem today.   If you find yourself stepping out into steeper terrain, keep in mind your consequences if the slope does slide.   

    Wind slabs:  Northwest winds were at work yesterday on the high ridges and in general, Summit lake sees increased wind speeds over Turnagain during WNW flow.  With ample snow available for transport, we can expect fresh wind slabs in higher elevation, leeward terrain.  Fresh wind slabs will inch these facet layers that much closer to failure.

    Dry Loose Avalanches:  In steep terrain protected from the wind, dry loose avalanches could also be a concern today. These could be large enough to knock a skier off their feet or carry you over a cliff or into another terrain trap. 

      

    (12/30/2025)

    The problem weak layer we are dealing with, which lives underneath a melt freeze crust.

    Photo: Aleph Johnston-Bloom

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