Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center 2020 Internship Program

The CNFAIC is currently accepting applications for next season’s Internship Program! Closing date is July 29th, 2019. This program has been highly successful, a staple for the center and promotes a pipeline for aspiring snow/avalanche professionals. Please see details for job requirements, how to apply and who to contact with questions HERE!

Photos: Past CNFAIC interns in the field. If you are interested please take a look at the application on the link above and reach out to us!

     
Nikki Champion 2019                   Sam Galoob and Jessie Haffener 2018

  
Conrad Chapman 2017                                                          John Sykes 2015

Please join the US and Canada in this joint survey looking into how to better serve you – the users!! We want to hear from all types of backcountry recreationalists, at every level, especially those that are just beginning to use the avalanche forecast. The survey takes around 30 minutes. Keep in mind those minutes could make a huge difference in making changes to how avalanche danger is conveyed and ultimately save more lives.

Survey link: HERE.

Participants will also be entered to win $500, so don’t delay!

Thank you from the CNFAIC staff as well as the forecast centers in the US and Canada.

Got 5 minutes? Take this short survey that is investigating who, how and where Alaskans travel in the backcountry. Project lead by University of Alaska Southeast.

Survey link HERE!

Turnagain Pass 20 years later:
Meet the forecasters, bring your GEAR, bring your questions!

On Saturday, March 23rd from 12-2pm swing by the Turnagain Pass motorized parking lot and meet the CNFAIC avalanche forecasters, bring and test your avalanche rescue gear, ask questions and learn about the history of Turnagain Pass and the avalanche center. We’ll even have a few beacons buried so you can test your skills before heading into the hills!

Twenty years ago, on March 21st, 1999, six snowmachiners lost their lives in a large avalanche on Seattle Ridge in the heart of Turnagain Pass. In the wake of this tragic event, the US Forest Service’s Glacier Ranger Station formed an avalanche information center, which is now the CNFAIC. Please join us in commemorating the lives lost by taking a few minutes to talk avalanche awareness and check that your rescue gear is in order. 

UPCOMING EVENTS: Check out our calendar page for upcoming events and course offerings from local education providers!

Don’t forget that the Know Before You Go program has recently launched their online tutorials to gear you up for your avalanche course – see those at kbyg.org/learn!!

Stories from Sunburst at Powder Hound Ski Shop, Girdwood – FREE

December 18 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.  Join Heather Thamm, for an evening discussion on avalanche safety and awareness.

More details on these and other events on our Calendar page!

The Friends of the CNFAIC have two scholarships dedicated to avalanche education. The funds generated to make these possible are in celebration of Rob Hamel and Amy Downing, their love and passion for the mountains, and to help others stay safe. We encourage you to read each one and apply if you fit the need, or pass along to someone who could benefit. Applications due on Dec 1st.

Rob Hamel Scholarship Fund – For recreational users and professional avalanche workers.

Amy Downing Scholarship Fund – For recreational users.

Mark your calendars for Friday November 9th when the 6th annual ‘SAAW’ (Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop) kicks off the 2019 winter season!! We have an amazing line-up scheduled for this one day workshop including, special guest speaker Scott Savage from the Sawtooth Avalanche Center!

REMEMBER – the afternoon session is FREE!! This session runs from 1pm-4:30pm and will focus on topics relevant to not only avalanche professionals but recreational backcountry users. 

Full schedule, Registration and more details will be posted on the event website akavalancheworkshop.org.

It is with heavy hearts that we post this preliminary accident report for a snowmachine rider who lost their life in an avalanche on May 2nd, 2018. The avalanche occurred in the upper Blackstone Glacier. Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and riding partners at this difficult time.

If you are headed out to the backcountry this spring, please see our ‘Springtime Avalanche Tips’ on the advisory page.

Avalanche danger has increased during the last couple weeks of April due to stormy weather. Natural avalanches occurring at the high elevations are running to valley bottoms. Portage Valley has seen the majority of this activity which looks to continue into May. Keep in mind that although hiking trails may be melting out, snow covered slopes above could still be threatening them!

Check out this video report of  a natural avalanche in the Byron Glacier Valley from Saturday, April 21st.