Bollettino valanghe Chugach State Park

NAVIGATING THE BACKCOUNTRY IN SPRINGTIME

Whether you are planning to eek out the last of the corn skiing in Turnagain Pass, climb Denali, or extend your ski season in one of Alaska’s more remote mountain ranges, some general considerations for spring skiing can help you stay safe while enjoying the spring and summer in Alaska’s beautiful mountain ranges. The most important thing is to tune yourself into the daily cycle of wet snow avalanches. Managing springtime avalanche hazard is based largely on time of day and aspect, with conditions often changing from stable to dangerous within a matter of hours.

It is also important to remember that at higher elevations, we can get significant snow storms any time of year in Alaska, so you can’t let your guard down for dry slab avalanche conditions entirely. As of early May 2026, the snowpack in the western Chugach and eastern Kenai mountains is still transitioning from dry to wet at upper elevations. As long as the temperatures stay cold enough to snow, we can expect to see dry snow avalanche activity. This is most likely during and after storms at upper elevations, especially on northern aspects. Avalanches stepping down to deeper buried weak layers are still possible even late in the season.

(5/2/2026)

As of early May, it is still very much a winter snowpack in the upper elevations. Photo of Tincan's Common Bowl.

Wet Snow Avalanches

As the snowpack warms and free water moves through it, the bonds between grains weaken. This can lead to loose wet avalanches at the surface or larger wet slab avalanches failing deeper in the snowpack or at the ground. Wet slabs are the most concerning spring problem. They can be destructive and are often less predictable than their winter counterparts.

Pay attention to what you’re feeling underfoot, and what you are seeing in the terrain around you:

Increasing boot penetration through the day
Rollerballs or pinwheels off skis or rocks
Small wet loose avalanches

These are clear signs the snowpack is losing strength. When they start to show up, it’s time to step back from avalanche terrain.

Cornices: Cornices are large and fragile this time of year, and they become increasingly unstable with warming. Avoid traveling beneath them, especially during the heat of the day. Even a small cornice fall can trigger a larger avalanche on the slope below. Watch for cracks forming along ridgelines—these indicate the cornice is weakening and may fail.

Glide Avalanches: Glide avalanches are unpredictable and can release at any time, though warming tends to increase their likelihood. If you see a glide crack, give it a wide berth. Don’t stop or linger below it—these avalanches can release without warning and are often large.

Timing the Melt-Freeze Cycle Avalanche danger in the springtime will often start out Low early in the day, and rise to High as surfaces lose strength.

A solid overnight refreeze creates a strong surface crust and a window for safer travel. Clear skies are especially effective at locking up the surface, even when air temperatures remain above freezing. As the sun heats the snow surface through the day, that crust begins to break down. This will happen earliest on steep southerly slopes. There’s often a short window of ideal corn conditions before the surface becomes too wet. A simple benchmark: if you’re sinking past your ankles, you’re likely out of that window. Look for a cooler aspect or start heading back to the parking lot.

What if it is cloudy or not cold enough for the snow surface to freeze at night? Fun fact, the snow surface can form a crust with temperatures above freezing as long as there are clear skies. If it is both cloudy and near freezing, then the snowpack will not have a chance to stabilize overnight, and the potential for wet snow avalanches is especially high. A general rule of thumb is that three nights in a row of no refreeze is an omen for major wet slab avalanches. It is best to avoid avalanche terrain and runout zones during these periods of sustained melting because the ingredients for large and destructive wet slab avalanches are all in place.

Spring storms

It can snow any time of year in the mountains of Alaska, especially in the higher elevation ranges. Keep in mind that new snow doesn’t like to bond well with older layers of snow that have very different grain size or shape. If a spring storm brings new snow to the region, the avalanche danger will be elevated during the storm and for a few days afterwards as the new snow either sheds off of the old melt freeze surface or becomes wet enough to bond with the old snow surface and continues with the melt/freeze cycle. As always, look for red flags to indicate when conditions are dangerous and adjust your terrain selection based on the current snowpack conditions.

Red Flags for dangerous avalanche conditions:

Recent Avalanches
Whumphing or shooting cracks
Heavy snowfall or rain
Recent wind loading
Rapid temperature changes*

* Rapid temperature changes are less of a concern when we already have a spring melt freeze snowpack. Over time, the snowpack develops drainage channels and can efficiently transport rain or meltwater through the snowpack without experiencing unstable avalanche conditions.

Bears

The bears are coming out of their dens and starting to look for their first meals in months. Bears sometimes den fairly high in the mountains on sloped hillsides, which means there is potential for interaction with backcountry skiers and riders. We have already heard reports of bear sightings within our forecast area this season. In recent years, there have been several other examples of skiers having encounters with bears (articles here and here) emerging from their den in the spring. These are reminders to be on the lookout for recent tracks and possibly carry bear spray or an alternative form of bear deterrent.

Brown bears are a common sight in Chugach National Forest during the Spring through Fall months. Photo credit BBC

Photo: BBC STORING Your avalanche gear

Take the batteries out of your beacon and store it in a dry place.
Make sure your shovel and probe are dry when you put them away.
Put your airbag pack into storage mode per the manufacturer's recommendations

Thank You!

This was a very challenging season for the CNFAC, and we would not have made it without the support of our community. Thank you to everyone who shared an observation, joined us as a field partner, or simply sent us a message of support. Additionally, THANK YOU to all of you who have supported the CNFAC through donations, memberships, and a variety of other means. Again we could not do this without you.

We would also like to thank our non-profit arm, the Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center. Half of our operating budget comes directly from you, through the ‘Friends’ organization. This amazing and selfless group has a tireless passion for keeping us safe in the backcountry. Their fundraising efforts allow the Avalanche Center to be a reality – literally. This includes covering the salary of the Chugach State Park avalanche forecaster position. And of course, we would not be here without the support of the Forest Service and the wonderful Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts.

Last but far from least, we would like to thank our professional partners for sharing their insights, information, and wisdom, which greatly improve our forecasts.

Alaska DOT Avalanche Program
Alyeska Snow Safety
Chugach Powder Guides
Chugach Electric Avalanche Program
Alaska Railroad Avalanche Program
Avalanche Risk Solutions
Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol
Alaska Mountain Rescue Group
Girdwood Backcountry Guides
Red Raven Guides
Alaska Guide Collective
Alaska Avalanche School
Alaska Pacific University’s Snow Science Program

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