Chugach NF Avalanche Center

Avy Update - May 15, 2026: Heads up Hikers! We have seen multiple large natural avalanches releasing as springtime conditions slowly arrive. Weather it’s warm temperatures and sunny skies, or intense springtime storms, avalanche conditions are dangerous and currently threaten popular trails like the Byron Glacier and Crow Pass trails. These trails will continue to be dangerous as long as there is snow in the higher terrain. Avalanches have been running well below the existing snow line, and can make it into valley bottoms. Please consider avoiding these trails for now, as well as any others that traverse below large, snow-covered slopes! It’s looking like our window of pleasant weather is closing this weekend, with another round of rain up to 1500-2000’ and 6-10” snow likely at upper elevations from Saturday evening through Sunday night. It’s late in the season, but avalanche conditions are still complicated. Photos: 1. Very large natural avalanche in the Middle Glacier drainage in the Portage Valley. Photo: Jared Rubin, 05.14.2026 2. Natural avalanche on Penguin Ridge above the Girdwood Valley. Photo: Graham Predeger, 05.14.2026.

We have finished issuing avalanche forecasts for the 2025/26 season, but the avalanche season isn’t over yet. Here are a few photos of natural avalanche activity in Turnagain Pass this week. We will continue to publish Observations that come in, and will chime in on these social media channels as needed through the spring. 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 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 Girdwood Backcountry Guides Alaska Guide Collective Red Raven Guides Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol Alaska Mountain Rescue Group Alaska Avalanche School APU Snow Science Program We hope you all have a fun and safe spring and summer. We’d love to know what you’re seeing if you get out, don’t be afraid to drop an observation! Stay tuned to our social media channels to stay in the loop, and check out for current observations and news posts. See you out there! Photos: 1. Massive debris pile in the Bear Valley, just north of the Whittier Tunnel on the Portage side. 05.06.2026. 2. Widespread avalanche activity on Turnagain Pass in the Super Bowl area, between Magnum and Cornbiscuit. 05.06.2026

Avy Update - May 3, 2026 Fresh wind slabs 1 to 2’ deep as well as older wind slabs up to 3’ deep could be easy to trigger on wind loaded slopes. Multiple buried weak layers are still capable of triggering a large avalanche with dire consequences. Wet avalanches will be likely in lower to mid elevations. Be cautious if you consider moving into steeper terrain keeping in mind that the safest option is to stick to lower angle slopes away from steep slopes above you. Tomorrow we will be posting our 'Springtime Tips' which will be our last forecast of the season. __________________________________ We are devastated to share the news that Dylan Lenzie passed away this week after getting caught in an avalanche. This is a heavy loss for the Alaskan avalanche community and for anyone who was lucky enough to meet him. We extend our sincere condolences to all of his family, friends, and colleagues.

Avy Update May 2, 2026: With a break in the weather on the heels of an intense storm, we are heading into the kind of conditions where avalanche accidents happen. It is still likely a person will be able to trigger a large avalanche failing 1 to 3' deep within yesterday's new and windblown snow. There is a chance these may impact deeper weak layers, producing much larger avalanches. The likelihood of natural avalanche activity will increase if the sun comes out. Travel with caution today, and consider avoiding traveling on or below steep terrain. #GetTheForecast: Photo: Snowing sideways in Portage yesterday. This was the scene across most of our forecast area. 05.01.2026

AVALANCHE WARNING: May 1, 2026: An intense atmospheric river is bringing heavy snowfall, rain, and extreme winds to the area today. Avalanche danger is HIGH at all elevations across all of our forecast zones. Expect large avalanches to release naturally, running long distances into low elevation runout zones. Conditions will be very dangerous during and immediately after this storm. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. More info in today's forecast: Predicted snowfall graphic courtesy of NWS Anchorage. 05.01.2026

Avy Update - Apr 30, 2026: AVALANCHE DANGER IS ON THE RISE A major springtime storm is approaching, and avalanche danger is going to rise rapidly over the next 24 hours. The chances of natural and human-triggered avalanches around 1 to 2' deep will increase as strong easterly winds pick up this afternoon, and this may impact deeper weak layers in the snowpack. Approach steep terrain with caution today, and consider avoiding travel on or below steep slopes as the storm unfolds. Given the active weather and anticipating dangerous avalanche conditions, we will issue an additional forecast tomorrow morning. Stay tuned at Photos: 1. Debris from multiple natural avalanches on the east side of Resurrection Bay. 04.29.2026 2. Natural avalanche on Spirit Walker. 04.29.2026. 3. Remote triggered avalanche on the back side of Seattle Ridge (Triangle Bowl). Photo shared anonymously, 04.29.2026.

Heads up Hikers! We've received multiple reports of natural avalanche activity near popular hiking trails over the past two days, including the Byron Glacier and Crow Pass trails. There was also an incident involving five hikers on Peak 3 over the weekend, in which at least one person was buried and injured. These are three of many trails in the area that are exposed to serious avalanche hazard, and this is the time of year when we are most concerned about hikers getting caught off guard. If you plan on getting out for a hike, consider avoiding any trails with steep terrain above you. We will likely see avalanches failing naturally this week, and some of that activity may occur during the sunny weather expected today. Please visit for more information. Video from May 2025, when a natural avalanche ran across the Byron Glacier trail right in front of a family.

Conditions Update - Apr. 28, 2026 We took advantage of a break in the weather this afternoon and got a look at Seattle Ridge. There is about 6-8” heavy new snow on the ground. We’re looking at a brief spell of warm weather and sunny skies, which will increase the chances of wet snow avalanches. Expect increasing avalanche danger through the day Wednesday, and then again Thurs-Fri as another significant storm moves in. It’s a dynamic time of year, and we’ll need to approach the mountains with caution for the next few days. Stay tuned at

Avy Update - April 28, 2026: Heavy precipitation in the past 24 hours impacted coastal areas like Portage, Seward, and Girdwood. The potential for avalanches in the new snow exists today. We also have wet snow conditions at lower elevations that haven't frozen in several days. Finally, at upper elevations on north aspects buried weak layers are still a concern. This is a complex snowpack setup for late April and not the typical springtime conditions. We recommend a cautious approach to avalanche terrain today. In areas that received over a foot of new snow in the past 24 hours wet recommend avoiding avalanche terrain. Check out ChugachAvalanche.org for more information!

AVALANCHE INCIDENT: North Side Peak 3 Apr. 25, 2026: Three hikers were caught and carried in a very large avalanche on the north side of Peak 3 on Saturday afternoon. Multiple people sustained injuries, but everyone made it out alive. Another group recreating in the area responded to the scene, along with AMRG, Alaska State Troopers, and Chugach State Park employees. The avalanche occurred on a steep, wind-loaded slope, failing on a layer of depth hoar near the ground. It was 3 to 6' deep on average, about 450' wide, and ran approximately 1200' vertical. The debris was up to 13' deep. This incident could have very easily had a much worse outcome. We are very happy that everyone was able to return home. Huge thanks to all of the responders involved. You can find more information on this incident on the 'Observations' page on our website at

Avy update - April 26, 2026 Conditions remain dangerous today across forecast zones. A wide variety of conditions and problems exist across aspects and elevation. Increasing southeast wind could make it easy to trigger an avalanche in freshly windblown snow up to 1' deep. New wind-loading will also put stress on buried weak layers increasing chances a person could trigger a much larger avalanche up to 3' deep. Watch for roller balls to know wet avalanches could be a problem. Get the full picture at chugachavalanche.org Video: Andrew got to Snug Harbor yesterday and gives an update on conditions. 4.25.2026

Avy Update April 25, 2026: It is likely a person could trigger an avalanche 1 to 2' deep where recent winds have drifted snow into reactive slabs. These may have formed in unusual places, so pay close attention to warning signs like shooting cracks or collapsing as you travel. This fresh round of new and windblown snow is sitting on top of a problematic snowpack with several known weak layers which may produce much larger avalanches. Travel with caution, and consider avoiding traveling on or below steep terrain while the snowpack adjusts to the storm we saw over the past 48 hours. Photos: 1. It was looking soggy at Turnagain Pass yesterday, but coverage is hanging in there. It's been snowing up high. 04.24.2026 2. One of several recent natural avalanches on Butch. 04.23.2026 3. This was the best window of visibility at Lost Lake yesterday. It's been stormy near the coast! 04.24.2026