We are in a Spring diurnal cycle, meaning that the avalanche hazard will vary significantly depending on aspect, time of day and elevation.  The avalanche hazard will begin as Low at all elevations and increase to Considerable as the sun heats up the surface snow, causing it to lose strength.  The first slopes to heat up and become unstable will be East facing slopes, then South, moving around the compass to West and finally Northwest.  Expect to find wet loose avalanches occurring when the sun is directly facing a slope.  The most prone areas will be steep rocky terrain since rocks will absorb the suns energy quicker and radiate warmth into the surrounding snow.  Pay attention to the surface snow, when more than 4 inches of slushy snow exists or the snowpack becomes punchy it is time to move towards a more shaded aspect or the parking lot.   The last public avalanche forecast for the 20/21 season will be posted on Sunday 4/25.  Thanks to everyone that contributed to and used the avalanche forecast this season.   For more information click the (+full forecast) button below. Although avalanche forecasts will stop 4/25, avalanche conditions will continue to exist.  If you see something that you would like to share, visit our observation page to leave a comment or you can email or text me at [email protected]/ 907-255-7690.
We are in a Spring diurnal cycle, meaning that the avalanche hazard will vary significantly depending on aspect, time of day and elevation.  The avalanche hazard will begin as Low at all elevations and increase to Considerable as the sun heats up the surface snow, causing it to lose strength.  The first slopes to heat up and become unstable will be East facing slopes, then South, moving around the compass to West and finally Northwest.  Expect to find wet loose avalanches occurring when the sun is directly facing a slope.  The most prone areas will be steep rocky terrain since rocks will absorb the suns energy quicker and radiate warmth into the surrounding snow.  Pay attention to the surface snow, when more than 4 inches of slushy snow exists or the snowpack becomes punchy it is time to move towards a more shaded aspect or the parking lot.   The last public avalanche forecast for the 20/21 season will be posted on Sunday 4/25.  Thanks to everyone that contributed to and used the avalanche forecast this season.   For more information click the (+full forecast) button below. Although avalanche forecasts will stop 4/25, avalanche conditions will continue to exist.  If you see something that you would like to share, visit our observation page to leave a comment or you can email or text me at [email protected]/ 907-255-7690.
We are in a Spring diurnal cycle, meaning that the avalanche hazard will vary significantly depending on aspect, time of day and elevation.  The avalanche hazard will begin as Low at all elevations and increase to Considerable as the sun heats up the surface snow, causing it to lose strength.  The first slopes to heat up and become unstable will be East facing slopes, then South, moving around the compass to West and finally Northwest.  Expect to find wet loose avalanches occurring when the sun is directly facing a slope.  The most prone areas will be steep rocky terrain since rocks will absorb the suns energy quicker and radiate warmth into the surrounding snow.  Pay attention to the surface snow, when more than 4 inches of slushy snow exists or the snowpack becomes punchy it is time to move towards a more shaded aspect or the parking lot.   The last public avalanche forecast for the 20/21 season will be posted on Sunday 4/25.  Thanks to everyone that contributed to and used the avalanche forecast this season.   For more information click the (+full forecast) button below. Although avalanche forecasts will stop 4/25, avalanche conditions will continue to exist.  If you see something that you would like to share, visit our observation page to leave a comment or you can email or text me at [email protected]/ 907-255-7690.
We are in a Spring diurnal cycle, meaning that the avalanche hazard will vary significantly depending on aspect, time of day and elevation.  The avalanche hazard will begin as Low at all elevations and increase to Considerable as the sun heats up the surface snow, causing it to lose strength.  The first slopes to heat up and become unstable will be East facing slopes, then South, moving around the compass to West and finally Northwest.  Expect to find wet loose avalanches occurring when the sun is directly facing a slope.  The most prone areas will be steep rocky terrain since rocks will absorb the suns energy quicker and radiate warmth into the surrounding snow.  Pay attention to the surface snow, when more than 4 inches of slushy snow exists or the snowpack becomes punchy it is time to move towards a more shaded aspect or the parking lot.   The last public avalanche forecast for the 20/21 season will be posted on Sunday 4/25.  Thanks to everyone that contributed to and used the avalanche forecast this season.   For more information click the (+full forecast) button below. Although avalanche forecasts will stop 4/25, avalanche conditions will continue to exist.  If you see something that you would like to share, visit our observation page to leave a comment or you can email or text me at [email protected]/ 907-255-7690.
MaritimeIntermountainContinental
Forecast as of 04/25/2021 at 08:00 and expires on 04/26/2021

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 3,000ftNone

1,500 to 3,000ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast as of 05/05/2021 at 08:00 and expires on 05/06/2021

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 4,000ftNone

2,000 to 4,000ftNone

Below 2,000ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast as of 05/05/2021 at 08:00 and expires on 05/06/2021

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 4,000ftNone

2,000 to 4,000ftNone

Below 2,000ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
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Observations

Tell us what you're seeing out there.

Forecast Center Observation

Date2021-04-15
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

4/15 Cracked Ice up to 6200'- W-N aspects, Overcast becoming partly cloudy. occasional snow. Collapsing: No Shooting cracks: No Avalanches:  Small wet loose activity on steep low elevation slopes. Found 15 cms of moist new snow atop a pencil hard wind board below 3000' .  At 5000' found 60 cms of moist/dry  storm snow that…

 
Date2021-04-07
LocationValdez
ObserverRick
AvalancheN

General Observations

Hardslab windslab avalanche triggered by first person down slope off on NW aspect just below the the north ridge of Little Matterhorn. HS-ARu-R2.5-D2

 
Date2021-04-01
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

4/1- Iguana Backs up to 4500'/ W-N aspects/ Partly Cloudy. Collapsing: No Shooting Cracks: No Avalanches: Yes.  Saw a natural hard slab avalanche on a west aspect halfway up an apron (4000')/~38° slope/ 100 meters wide ran 200' vertical to a flat bench. Crown ranged from 50-100 cms, and failed on 1-2mm near surface facets.…

 

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Valdez Avalanche Center

Valdez Avalanche Center

Support the education and sharing of avalanche information for mountains surrounding the Port of Valdez to Milepost 65 on the Richardson Highway. Our membership keeps the mission going. Join as a Valdez Avalanche Center member today, or donate directly.

The Valdez Avalanche Center has been providing safety information in the Chugach Mountains surrounding Valdez since 2006. It began as a radio interview discussing snow and avalanche conditions. Locals asked for information they could make plans with. Forecasts are currently issued Friday through Sunday with special alerts for significant weather or avalanche events. Information contained in the forecasts is intended to be used as a tool in conjunction with your personal backcountry hazard evaluation.

Public observations are encouraged and aid the accuracy of the avalanche forecasts in our data-sparse region.

Valdez Avalanche Forecasters

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2019/2020 Staff & Volunteers

 

Forecaster:  Gareth Brown

 Gareth grew up backcountry skiing in Colorado.  He moved to Valdez, AK in 2010 and currently resides in Serendipity, AK, on the north side of Thompson Pass.  Gareth has spent the last 10 seasons exploring the Chugach by splitboard.  He completed his Pro 2 avalanche certification last year in Girdwood with AAI.

[email protected]    907-255-7690

kyle_sobek

Sarah Carter: Forecaster/Instructor/Valdez Avalanche Center Director5

[email protected]

Sarah loves SNOW! She forecasts for VAC. She also teaches avalanche classes with the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, Prince William Sound College, Backcountry Babes, and UAA.

Kyle Sobek: Instructor/Forecaster

Kyle rides every moment he gets. Kyle is now a Kenny Lake resident and calls Alaska home. He seeks out every opportunity to learn about snow and mountain riding. Kyle instructs avalanche courses and forecasts part-time for Valdez Avalanche Center.

Sean Wisner: Rescue Coordinator

Ben Stolen: Observer

Gareth Brown: Observer

Josh McDonald: Observer

Dr. John Cullen, M.D.: Advisory Board Member and Medical Advisor

Will Stark: Advisory Board Member

Will grew up in Little Tutka Bay, across Kachemak Bay from Homer and attended college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  After obtaining his bachelors degree he entered the management training program with First National Bank Alaska.  In 1997, the bank offered him a job opportunity in Valdez; over the last 20 years, the bank and Valdez have treated him well and he is proud to be associated with both.  Valdez has provided his wife, Erin, and Will an exceptional place to raise their two children, Liam and Noah.  In Valdez they have made great friends and find the town has the perfect mix of ocean and mountains with unparalleled access to both.  Will says he is honored and humbled to provide what help he can to the Valdez Avalanche Center.

Rich Loftin: Advisory Board Member

Erica Shirk: Advisory Board Member

DB Palmer: Advisory Board Member

Interns:

2016 Josh Hege & Bobby Lieberman
2015-2016 Kyle Sobek
2014 Kevin Salys
2014 Monica Morin
2013 Dusty Reed
2012 Katreen Wikstroem
2011 Sam Benoit
2010-2012 Ethan Davis
2009 Jordan Pond
2009 Brad Deringer
2008 Elise Leahy

Sponsors

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Thanks to all our members and community supporters!

Valdez Gallery

Tailgate Alaska at Thompson Pass

Tailgate Alaska at Thompson Pass

hybrid users are common in Valdez

hybrid users are common in Valdez

Powder!

 

Powder!

Surface Hoar

 

Surface Hoar

Thompson Pass Terrain

 

Thompson Pass Terrain