The current hazard rating is CONSIDERABLE above treeline: over 2' of new snow is being rapidly transported by strong north winds forming wind slabs up to 3'. The current conditions demand conservative travel techniques AND/OR the patience to wait until the wind diminishes and the new snow settles.
More info is available by clicking FULL FORECAST below. (All three forecast regions have the same info.)
Please share your field observations HERE.
The current hazard rating is CONSIDERABLE above treeline: over 2' of new snow is being rapidly transported by strong north winds forming wind slabs up to 3'. The current conditions demand conservative travel techniques AND/OR the patience to wait until the wind diminishes and the new snow settles.
More info is available by clicking FULL FORECAST below. (All three forecast regions have the same info.)
Please share your field observations HERE.
The current hazard rating is CONSIDERABLE above treeline: over 2' of new snow is being rapidly transported by strong north winds forming wind slabs up to 3'. The current conditions demand conservative travel techniques AND/OR the patience to wait until the wind diminishes and the new snow settles.
More info is available by clicking FULL FORECAST below. (All three forecast regions have the same info.)
Please share your field observations HERE.
The current hazard rating is CONSIDERABLE above treeline: over 2' of new snow is being rapidly transported by strong north winds forming wind slabs up to 3'. The current conditions demand conservative travel techniques AND/OR the patience to wait until the wind diminishes and the new snow settles.
More info is available by clicking FULL FORECAST below. (All three forecast regions have the same info.)
Please share your field observations HERE.
Current Advisory Level
ConsiderableAbove 2,500ftConsiderable
1,800 to 2,500ftConsiderable
Below 1,800ftModerate
Current Advisory Level
ConsiderableAbove 2,500ftConsiderable
1,800 to 2,500ftConsiderable
Below 1,800ftModerate
Current Advisory Level
ConsiderableAbove 2,500ftConsiderable
1,800 to 2,500ftConsiderable
Below 1,800ftModerate
Forecast Center Observation
| Date | 2019-02-15 |
| Location | Valdez |
| Observer | Gareth Brown |
| Avalanche | N |
General Observations
Saw a large natural wind slab avalanche on Hippie Ridge. Avalanche released at about 4000' and ran approximately 1500' . R2.5-D2.5, crown was about 150 meters wide. What was notable about this slide was that it appears to have stepped down about 300' below the initial crown. Step down was most likely to the persistent weak layer…
| Date | 2019-01-30 |
| Location | Valdez |
| Observer | Gareth Brown |
| Avalanche | N |
General Observations
Ski toured up North aspect of 33 mile today "RFS". Found 40 cm's "16 inches" of settled snow from the most recent storm sitting on a rain crust up to 2500 feet. Dug a pit at 3500' on a North aspect. Found preserved 2-3mm buried surface hoar with 95cm's "3 feet" of new snow on top. Got…
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.
Forecaster with the Valdez Avalanche Center
Forecaster with the Valdez Avalanche Center
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.
Sean Wisner: Rescue Coordinator
Ben Stolen: Observer
Gareth Brown: Observer
Josh McDonald: Observer
Dr. John Cullen, M.D.: Advisory Board Member and Medical Advisor
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
Thanks to all our members and community supporters!
Valdez Gallery
Tailgate Alaska at Thompson Pass
hybrid users are common in Valdez
Powder!
Surface Hoar
Thompson Pass Terrain
