Bollettino valanghe

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 7 months ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

This week's storm has added a significant load to an already dangerous snowpack. Although quiet weather is expected today, there is still a good chance a person will trigger a very large avalanche failing on a weak layer of faceted snow buried 3 to 5' deep. This layer is unlikely to provide any reliable warning signs despite the dangerous setup. Approach steep terrain cautiously and avoid lingering in runout zones below steeper slopes.

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CHUGACH STATE PARK: Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in Chugach State Park. Human-triggered avalanches are likely in wind-loaded terrain, and avalanches may step down into deeper persistent weak layers, producing large and dangerous slides. See the updated outlook from Chugach State Park for more info.

Join us Friday, Feb. 13, for the annual Snowball fundraiser! This event is a collaboration with the Alaska Avalanche School and is always a fun way to support two nonprofit organizations that provide avalanche information and education in our area. Silent auction, beverages, hors d'oeuvres, and music by Hope Social Club! Tickets and event info at alaskaavalanche.org

Problemi valanghivi

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2–3

    Recent avalanches: We have yet to see the full extent of natural avalanche activity during the most recent storm, but we do know there were multiple large natural avalanches in the Girdwood Valley. Hopefully we will get a better survey of new activity today and tomorrow. 

    The weak layer of faceted snow, now buried 3 to 5' deep above 1500', remains the main avalanche concern. The most recent storm has added significant stress to that weak layer, nudging it closer to its breaking point. It has also increased the potential size of an avalanche a person will trigger, and our hackles are up. Quiet weather on a weekend following a storm, with a dangerous weak layer buried deep in the snowpack — these current circumstances are when avalanche accidents happen.

    Don't let the quiet weather or potential lack of feedback fool you. This is a dangerous snowpack. The December facet layer has slowly become more stubborn, and it is trending in the right direction. But right now we're at a really challenging point in that transition. We are unlikely to see clear signs of instability even though someone can still trigger a very large avalanche. This problem is going to be very tricky to assess with stability tests, and quick travel tests like handpits and test slopes are no longer reliable. It's becoming less and less likely that we'll see red flags like shooting cracks or collapsing, but that weak layer is still lurking well below the surface. If you find the right spot on the slope, you can trigger a very large avalanche. 

    Deep slab problems take patience. With continued mild temperatures, hopefully some more snow, and more time, this layer of facets will eventually heal. We're seeing this trending in the right direction, but for now it remains a major concern. The only way to manage it is by avoiding traveling on or below steep terrain.

     

    (1/29/2026)

    Roller balls at 2000' in the Tincan trees. This heavy, wet storm has added significant weight to our troubled snowpack.

    Photo: Andrew Schauer

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    The new and windblown snow from earlier in the week has had a day to heal, and it is becoming less likely that a person will run into trouble with that layer. However, since the storm came in slightly upside-down and buried a variety of untrustworthy surfaces, including crusts and facets, we are still treating it with caution today. This setup will make the new snow a little slower to heal than normal, and there is still a chance a person may trigger an avalanche up to 2 to 4' deep at the new snow/old snow interface. The deep slab problem discussed in Problem 1 is driving terrain choices for now, but this is one more piece of the puzzle to be aware of today.

Regioni coperte