From all of us at the Valdez Avalanche Center - Thank you for another great season!  Your support and observations are invaluable to provide increased safety throughout the advisory area!

Share your field observations with the community HERE.  

From all of us at the Valdez Avalanche Center - Thank you for another great season!  Your support and observations are invaluable to provide increased safety throughout the advisory area!

Share your field observations with the community HERE.  

From all of us at the Valdez Avalanche Center - Thank you for another great season!  Your support and observations are invaluable to provide increased safety throughout the advisory area!

Share your field observations with the community HERE.  

From all of us at the Valdez Avalanche Center - Thank you for another great season!  Your support and observations are invaluable to provide increased safety throughout the advisory area!

Share your field observations with the community HERE.  

MaritimeIntermountainContinental
Forecast as of 05/01/2019 at 08:00 and expires on 12/01/2019

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 2,500ftNone

1,800 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,800ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast as of 05/01/2019 at 08:00 and expires on 12/01/2019

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 2,500ftNone

1,800 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,800ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast as of 05/01/2019 at 08:00 and expires on 12/01/2019

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 2,500ftNone

1,800 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,800ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
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Observations

Tell us what you're seeing out there.

Forecast Center Observation

Date2019-04-20
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

6-8" at Salmonberry for Beacons and Eggs. Heavy, dense snowfall, large flakes, very little base left at and around sea level.

 
Date2019-03-31
LocationValdez
ObserverJason Champion
AvalancheN

General Observations

 
Date2019-03-26
LocationValdez
ObserverBen, Sunny, Josh and Zach
AvalancheN

General Observations

HIker triggered cornice drop triggered large avalanche.   About D2.5 size. Northwest Aspect. Page 2 of the books.

 

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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

Forecaster with the Valdez Avalanche Center

Forecaster with the Valdez Avalanche Center

climate-zones-topo

climate-zones-satellite

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Other:

2018/2019 Staff & Volunteers

 

Peter Biskind: Forecaster/Instructor

pbiskind@alaskasnow.org

Peter guides and forecasts on snow year round in Antartica, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and here at home in Alaska. Peter has been teaching avalanche education since 2011 and is a certified AMGA ski guide - guiding in the Chugach since 2015.

Ryan VanLuit: Forecaster

RVanLuit@alaskasnow.org

Ryan joins the Valdez Avalanche Center forecasting team this year from Montana.

kyle_sobek

Sarah Carter: Forecaster/Instructor/Valdez Avalanche Center Director5

scarter@alaskasnow.org

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