Condolences go out to the family and friends of a Local Valdez Legend that passed away on the twenty fifth of April in the Chugach mountains. His passing has left a huge hole in the community, he will not be forgotten.  Limited details are included in the avalanche activity section.   The avalanche hazard will begin as moderate at all elevations and will move to considerable on solar aspects during the heat of the day.  A significant rise in temperatures over the last week has kicked the spring shed cycle into full gear.  Significant wet loose avalanche activity has been occurring on solar aspects at all elevations during the heat of the day.  Over the last week, wet loose activity has triggered deep slabs that have produced large avalanches running full path.  On north aspects above 5000' persistent slabs up to 1 foot in depth remain possible to trigger.  Avoid exposure to cornices, steep solar aspects during the heat of the day and traveling above terrain traps or exposure in steep north facing terrain above 5000'.     The last public avalanche forecast of the year will be posted on Saturday April 30.   During the month of April every public observation will be entered into a raffle to win a Black Diamond shovel.  Raffle will be held at the avalanche center fundraiser April 30 at the Valdez Brewery.   Click the + Full Forecast button below for a list of current avalanche problems, travel advice, weather resources and more.
  The Valdez Avalanche Center produces forecasts Wednesday- Sunday.   Help to improve your local avalanche center and contribute an observation to the website.  You can also contact me directly at [email protected] (907) 255-7690.
Condolences go out to the family and friends of a Local Valdez Legend that passed away on the twenty fifth of April in the Chugach mountains. His passing has left a huge hole in the community, he will not be forgotten.  Limited details are included in the avalanche activity section.   The avalanche hazard will begin as moderate at all elevations and will move to considerable on solar aspects during the heat of the day.  A significant rise in temperatures over the last week has kicked the spring shed cycle into full gear.  Significant wet loose avalanche activity has been occurring on solar aspects at all elevations during the heat of the day.  Over the last week, wet loose activity has triggered deep slabs that have produced large avalanches running full path.  On north aspects above 5000' persistent slabs up to 1 foot in depth remain possible to trigger.  Avoid exposure to cornices, steep solar aspects during the heat of the day and traveling above terrain traps or exposure in steep north facing terrain above 5000'.     The last public avalanche forecast of the year will be posted on Saturday April 30.   During the month of April every public observation will be entered into a raffle to win a Black Diamond shovel.  Raffle will be held at the avalanche center fundraiser April 30 at the Valdez Brewery.   Click the + Full Forecast button below for a list of current avalanche problems, travel advice, weather resources and more.
  The Valdez Avalanche Center produces forecasts Wednesday- Sunday.   Help to improve your local avalanche center and contribute an observation to the website.  You can also contact me directly at [email protected] (907) 255-7690.
Condolences go out to the family and friends of a Local Valdez Legend that passed away on the twenty fifth of April in the Chugach mountains. His passing has left a huge hole in the community, he will not be forgotten.  Limited details are included in the avalanche activity section.   The avalanche hazard will begin as moderate at all elevations and will move to considerable on solar aspects during the heat of the day.  A significant rise in temperatures over the last week has kicked the spring shed cycle into full gear.  Significant wet loose avalanche activity has been occurring on solar aspects at all elevations during the heat of the day.  Over the last week, wet loose activity has triggered deep slabs that have produced large avalanches running full path.  On north aspects above 5000' persistent slabs up to 1 foot in depth remain possible to trigger.  Avoid exposure to cornices, steep solar aspects during the heat of the day and traveling above terrain traps or exposure in steep north facing terrain above 5000'.     The last public avalanche forecast of the year will be posted on Saturday April 30.   During the month of April every public observation will be entered into a raffle to win a Black Diamond shovel.  Raffle will be held at the avalanche center fundraiser April 30 at the Valdez Brewery.   Click the + Full Forecast button below for a list of current avalanche problems, travel advice, weather resources and more.
  The Valdez Avalanche Center produces forecasts Wednesday- Sunday.   Help to improve your local avalanche center and contribute an observation to the website.  You can also contact me directly at [email protected] (907) 255-7690.
Condolences go out to the family and friends of a Local Valdez Legend that passed away on the twenty fifth of April in the Chugach mountains. His passing has left a huge hole in the community, he will not be forgotten.  Limited details are included in the avalanche activity section.   The avalanche hazard will begin as moderate at all elevations and will move to considerable on solar aspects during the heat of the day.  A significant rise in temperatures over the last week has kicked the spring shed cycle into full gear.  Significant wet loose avalanche activity has been occurring on solar aspects at all elevations during the heat of the day.  Over the last week, wet loose activity has triggered deep slabs that have produced large avalanches running full path.  On north aspects above 5000' persistent slabs up to 1 foot in depth remain possible to trigger.  Avoid exposure to cornices, steep solar aspects during the heat of the day and traveling above terrain traps or exposure in steep north facing terrain above 5000'.     The last public avalanche forecast of the year will be posted on Saturday April 30.   During the month of April every public observation will be entered into a raffle to win a Black Diamond shovel.  Raffle will be held at the avalanche center fundraiser April 30 at the Valdez Brewery.   Click the + Full Forecast button below for a list of current avalanche problems, travel advice, weather resources and more.
  The Valdez Avalanche Center produces forecasts Wednesday- Sunday.   Help to improve your local avalanche center and contribute an observation to the website.  You can also contact me directly at [email protected] (907) 255-7690.
MaritimeIntermountainContinental
Forecast Expired - 05/01/2022

Current Advisory Level

Considerable

Above 3,000ftConsiderable

1,500 to 3,000ftConsiderable

Below 1,500ftConsiderable

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast Expired - 05/01/2022

Current Advisory Level

Considerable

Above 4,000ftConsiderable

2,000 to 4,000ftConsiderable

Below 2,000ftConsiderable

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast Expired - 05/01/2022

Current Advisory Level

Considerable

Above 4,000ftConsiderable

2,000 to 4,000ftConsiderable

Below 2,000ftConsiderable

+ FULL FORECAST
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Observations

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Forecast Center Observation

Date2022-04-11
LocationValdez
Observerizzy lazarus
AvalancheN

General Observations

Stairway Area - 4100' - NE  ECT P 18 - down 50cm on 1-2mm facets - Sudden planar ECT P 19 - down 50cm on 1-2mm facets  - Sudden planar

 
Date2022-04-11
LocationValdez
ObserverJoshua McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Area 51: The 2-3 feet of wet snow that fell last week has dried out considerably and formed a several centimeter granular/breakable Crust on all aspects up to at least 2300ft. Soft snow with no crust was found on an Eastern aspect at 2300ft.  Minimal slabs observed at lower elevation with the exception of the…

 
Date2022-04-11
LocationValdez
ObserverJeremy Wood
AvalancheN

General Observations

Left road at 11 AM with intent to hike up 40.5 mile wall.  Wind increasing by 12 with active pluming and snow transport in the mids.  Turned around at 3200 feet on west facing aspect due to concern about reactive windslab, and on way down first rider ski cut produced D2 slab between 1'-3' thick.…

 

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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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2021/2022 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: Instructor/Valdez Avalanche Center Director

[email protected]

Sarah loves a good travel novel, sweet powder turns, and standing on top of mountains! She looks forward to Sunday fun days with her two ripping sons, Chance & Cirque. She also teaches avalanche classes with the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, Prince William Sound College, 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: Liason to AAIC Board of Directors

Kyle Klause: Advisory Board Member

John Cullen: 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

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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

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Thompson Pass Terrain

 

Thompson Pass Terrain