Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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 Persistent Slabs
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 Dry Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1,000′ for triggering a slab avalanche 1-3′ thick. Slopes with signs of recent wind loading will be the most suspect for triggering an avalanche. Additionally, watch for easily initiated loose snow avalanches (sluffs) on steep slopes. [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1,000′ for triggering a slab avalanche 1-2′ thick in the Turnagain Pass zone. In the Girdwood Valley, slabs could be up to 3′ thick and due to stronger overnight winds, the danger could be trending to CONSIDERABLE. Slopes with recent wind loading will be the most suspect for triggering [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger at all elevations for wind slab and soft storm slab avalanches between 1-2′ thick. Thursday’s new snow is sitting on buried surface hoar and in areas the new snow is cohesive and stiffer (due to wind or settlement) triggering slabs will again be possible. Additionally, loose snow avalanches (sluffs) [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Today there is CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in the Alpine where triggering a storm slab or wind slab 2-3 feet deep remains likely. Loose snow avalanches are also possible in steep terrain. Above 3000′ be aware of older weak layers deep within the snowpack which are becoming very difficult to trigger, but could have high consequences. [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Today there is CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger above 1000′ (in the Alpine and Treeline zone) where triggering a storm slab 1-2 feet deep will be likely in areas exposed to recent wind. If ridge top winds remain elevated today, natural slab avalanches and loose snow avalanches will be possible. Evaluate snow conditions as you move up [Read More] | ||
 Wind Slabs
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 Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above treeline. Fresh wind slab avalanches, up to a foot thick, could be found and triggered on leeward slopes. In addition, triggering a very large slab avalanche between 3 and 8 feet thick is still possible above 3,000′. Loose snow avalanches (sluffs) should be expected on steep [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. Triggering a wind slab in leeward terrain is possible today. Watch for changing conditions. In addition, triggering a very large slab avalanche between 3 and 8+ feet thick is still possible above 3,000′. Loose snow avalanches (sluffs) should be expected on steep slopes protected from [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE on all aspects above 2,500′. Triggering a very large slab avalanche between 3 and 8+ feet thick is possible. These deep slab avalanches are more likely to be found above 3,000′. Additionally, loose snow avalanches (sluffs) should be expected on steep slopes and be aware of cornice falls along ridgelines. [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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There remains a MODERATE avalanche danger on all aspects above 2,500′ for triggering a very large slab avalanche between 3 and 8+’ thick. These deep slab avalanches are more likely to be found at the higher elevations, above 3,000′. They are difficult to trigger, but if so could have high consequences. Additionally, loose snow sluffs [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on all aspects above 2,500′ for triggering a very large slab avalanche between 3 and 8+’ thick. These dangerous avalanches are more likely to be found at the high elevations, above 3,000′ and though tough to trigger, have very high consequences. Additionally, loose snow sluffs are getting faster and larger [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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 Cornice
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A MODERATE avalanche danger exists above 2,500′ where triggering a large Deep Slab avalanche (3-8+ feet) remains possible. This is a scary avalanche problem where multiple people can ski/ride/snowmanchine on a slope before an unlucky person finds a thin spot and the whole slope releases. Steer clear of cornices by giving them extra space, [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Storm Slabs
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A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger remains at elevations above 2,500′ in the Turnagain Pass area. Triggering an isolated storm slab or a very large Deep Slab avalanche (3-8+ feet) is trending towards possible today. However, it is only the 2nd day after a storm and a lot of uncertainty exists about how the snowpack is adjusting [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all slopes above 1,000′. Triggering a 2-3+’ large slab avalanche, composed of the new snow, is likely above 1,500′. Naturally occurring avalanches and cornice fall are also possible. Additionally, avalanches could break in deeper layers of the snowpack, causing a much larger slide and a very dangerous avalanche. [Read More] | ||
 Wet Slab
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH today at all elevations. Heavy rain, snow and strong winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely. Avalanches may be very large and run long distances. Travel in the mountains is not recommended. Avoid all runout zones. [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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 Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger will rise to HIGH today at all elevations above 1000′ due to a storm impacting the region bringing rain, snow and strong winds. Natural and human triggered slabs 2-5+ feet deep will be likely today in avalanche terrain and may step down to older weak layers. Rain may trigger large wet loose [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger remains at elevations above 1,500′ in the Turnagain Pass area. Triggering a large slab avalanche was likely yesterday and trending toward possible today. However, it is only the 2nd day after a storm and these slabs are 2-5+’ thick and unmanageable. Today is a day to follow the ‘travel advice’ for [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all slopes above 1,000′. Triggering a 2-3+’ large slab avalanche, composed of the new snow, is likely above 1,500′. Wet slab avalanches near and below 1,500′ are possible. Naturally occurring avalanches are also possible. Additionally, avalanches could break in deeper layers of the snowpack, causing a much larger slide. [Read More] | ||
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Wet Slab
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Storm Slabs
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An avalanche warning has been issued for Turnagain Pass, and the avalanche danger remains HIGH at all elevations due to rain, heavy snow, strong winds and above freezing temperatures. Natural and human triggered wet slab avalanches and storm slabs 2-4 feet deep will be likely today in avalanche terrain and could run to valley [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH at all elevations above 1000′ due to a storm bringing new snow, strong winds and warm temperatures to our region. Natural and human triggered storm slabs 1-3′ deep will be likely today in avalanche terrain and may step down to an older more dangerous week layer. Travel is not recommended [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today due to new snow falling on weak surface snow and increasing winds. Watch for changing conditions as the storm moves. In the Alpine triggering a slab avalanche, breaking 1-3′ deep on a weak layer of snow remains possible. Additionally, triggering a larger slab breaking near the ground remains possible [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all slopes above 2,000′ in elevation, where triggering a slab avalanche, breaking 1-3′ deep on a weak layer of snow remains possible. Additionally, triggering a larger slab breaking near the ground remains possible at elevations above 3,000′. Watch out for loose snow avalanches in steep terrain. The danger [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all slopes above 2,000′ in elevation, where triggering a slab avalanche, breaking 1-3′ deep on a weak layer of snow is possible. Slabs may release after several tracks are on the slope and avalanches may be triggered remotely. Additionally, triggering a larger slab breaking near the ground remains possible [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all slopes above 2,000′ in elevation. Slab avalanches breaking 1-3′ thick in weak layers under the New Year’s snow will be possible to trigger. Slabs may release after several tracks are on the slope and remotely triggering an avalanche from below or adjacent to a slope is possible. Additionally, [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE for the travel advice portion of the danger scale. Triggering a slab avalanche 1-3′ thick at elevations 2,000′ and higher is possible and may still be likely in places. Additionally, triggering a larger slab breaking near the ground remains possible at elevations above 3,000′. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects and elevations above 2000′ where triggering a slab avalanches 1-3′ thick is likely today. At elevations above 3,000′ triggering a very large slab avalanche that breaks in weak snow near the ground is also possible. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Sticking to low consequence terrain [Read More] |