Turnagain Pass

WELCOME to the 2019/2020 winter season!

The snow-line is creeping down the mountainsides and that means the CNFAIC is getting ready for another fantastic winter season! Office doors open at the Avalanche Center in Girdwood during the last week in October. We will be issuing intermittent snow, weather and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through mid-November. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin during Thanksgiving weekend – unless we are blessed with abundant early season snowfall, demanding an earlier start.

Don’t forget to keep tabs on current events/information on Facebook and Instagram!

Early season snow lovers:  Please send us your snow/avalanche reports so we can post them on our observation page! Simply click ‘submit observation’ under the Observation tab above. This is a huge benefit for the community and our forecasters.

Remember, early season avalanches happen. Snow has already fallen at Hatcher Pass and the upper Girdwood Valley.

A very shallow snowpack with rocks protruding can give us a false sense of security. As we embark on this season, let’s remember to be aware and prepared, returning to the parking lot and our family and friends is #1.

This is a great time to make sure your avalanche rescue gear is in order. This means:
–  Your shovel and probe assemble properly and no parts are rusted and/or worn out.
–  Your beacon has fresh batteries and your terminals are not corroded.
–  Brush up on how to use your avalanche beacon – turn it on, does it pick up another beacon properly and vice versa?
–  And, don’t forget to check out the upcoming avalanche courses in your area!

Special Announcements

Mark your calendars:  EVENTS ARE APPROACHING QUICKLY!!

Thursday, Nov 7: Snowmachine film fundraiser -“WHITE GOLD”
7-9pm, 49th State Brewing Co. Theater Sled Winter Kickoff Party! Join us for Thirsty Thursday and the premiere of 208 Productions’ NEW film “WHITE GOLD” 7 pm at 49th State Brewing Co. Theater. $20 tickets on sale Oct. 18 at Alaska Mining and Diving Supply, A2D Motorsports, Anchorage Yahama/Polaris. Or purchase them online at https://chugachavy.brownpapertickets.com

Friday, November 8:  Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop (SAAW)
9am-4:30pm, UAA’s Lucy Cuddy Hall
Join us for the 7th annual SAAW. Alaska’s Southcentral avalanche community will team up with snow professionals from around the region, Colorado and Canada to share their knowledge. This is a ‘must attend’ event for avalanche professionals and an excellent way for recreational backcountry users to delve into advanced avalanche topics! Cost is $20 for full day and FREE for the afternoon, beginning at 1:15pm. Lunch, coffee, snacks and a post workshop ‘beer social’ is included. Full schedule and registration at akavalancheworkshop.org

Thursday, Nov 14: Snow Stories 2.0
8-10pm, Beartooth Theater
Please join us in getting stoked to stay safe as emcee Brooke Edwards hosts an exceptional line of up lessons learned in the backcountry by storytellers: Roman Dial, Leighan Falley, Paul Thacker. Tickets are $20 and will be available Oct. 15 at the Beartooth website and box office.