The Cordova Avalanche Center was founded in 2009 following the death of Cordova's beloved local avalanche forecaster and city council member, Michael O'Leary, in a massive avalanche. This center is run by Cordova resident and snow forecast expert 'Hoots' (Steve Witsoe.) Hoots supplies a weekly observation/forecast for this region as conditions warrant. Hoots is also the Forecast Director for the Alaska Avalanche Information Center network and works directly with the National Avalanche Forecasters Association.

In 2010 a group of friends and family launched the Michael O'Leary scholarship fund which now helps support the professional development of avalanche educators and forecasters across Alaska.

Because a relatively small fraction of terrain often frequented by backcountry travelers has a professional daily avalanche forecast available, the Alaska Avalanche Information Center encourages users to share what they see. Please post your observations here.

Boat Harbor, Cordova, Alaska.