Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

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!