Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

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Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

One of only nine non-profit avalanche centers in the US. HPAC is an independent, non-agency, regional avalanche center. We need your support !
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The mission of the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is to provide avalanche information and advisories to assist and educate the general public in avoiding avalanches. HPAC is 100% funded with grant and community supported donations.

05/15/2026

Avalanche Forecasts and General Information products for the 2025-2026 season are now finished. Periods of accumulating snowfall continue for Hatcher Pass and avalanche season is not yet over. New snow, rapid warming, and wet avalanches could all be encountered throughout the spring. Head to the website to check out our webcams, weather stations, and recent observations before you head to the pass.

Thanks to everyone who tuned in and supported this season, it was at times rewarding and incredibly challenging. HPAC is a nonprofit, non agency center meaning we do not receive funding from the state or federal government and rely on individual donations to support our operations. We would not exist without the support of our amazing community.

We will continue to publish observations so if you head to the pass, take a few pictures and share what you see.

With information provided by Crown Mountain Guides, we have completed a preliminary report of the Gannett Glacier avalanche fatality that is available on the accidents page of the website.

We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague Dylan Lenzie. Donations to the memorial scholarship and in support of his partner can be made in his honor at hpavalanche.org

05/11/2026

❄️Updated General Information Product for Monday, 05/11/2026❄️

Warming temperatures and potential for rain this week will create unstable avalanche conditions as recent snowfall becomes wet. Seek lower-angle terrain or cooler slopes if you find a wet or mushy snow surface.

Large wet avalanches failing near the ground aren't out of the question. These slides can be difficult to predict and don't show obvious signs of instability. Hedge your bets by avoiding steep slopes late in the day, or without an overnight freeze the night prior.

If you are getting into the upper elevations seeking colder, drier snow, be heads up for lingering wind slabs and freshly formed cornices. Give cornices a wide berth this time of year as they begin to sag and become unstable.

Triggering a small slide, or cornice, could result in a larger, potentially high-consequence slide.

The best way to manage springtime wet snow avalanche problems is to start early and end early.

Watch for red flags, including any periods of new snow, wind, rapid warming, and recent avalanches.

📸: Ralph Baldwin. Natural Wet Slab avalanche on the south side of Skyscraper Mountain, observed on May 8th, 2026.

05/08/2026

❄️We have updated our general information product, 05/08/2026❄️

Watch for lingering wind slabs at upper elevations in steep couloirs and gullies, where recent snow and wind have formed sensitive, soft drifts.

Spring storms and weather can change conditions quickly, and as the day warms or if the sun comes out, wet loose avalanches may occur on all aspects and elevations. Avoid spending time on or below steep slopes late in the day, and if you find a mushy, wet snow surface, seek cooler slopes.

While unlikely, surficial new-snow avalanches or cornice falls could trigger large, destructive avalanches. Avalanches failing on weak snow near the ground won't give you obvious signs of instability and could catch you off guard. Give sagging warm cornices a wide berth.

📸: Wet loose slides near Weather Station Ridge following warm temperatures and rain earlier in the week. Northerly aspects.

05/05/2026

Our hearts are heavy as we process the tragic loss of our friend and teammate, Dylan Lenzie.

Dylan joined HPAC in 2019 as an instructor and volunteer field partner. He was a skilled educator who shared his passion for snow safety and mountain sports with thousands of Alaskan youth in their school classrooms over the years. Dylan's love and aptitude for splitboarding, snowmachining, and skiing drove him to expand his career to include field-based teaching and heli ski guiding. He continued to grow with HPAC this season, stepping into the Professional Observer role. He generously shared his time between each of these pursuits, and we as his team members, clients, and students were profoundly impacted by his leadership, care, and joy in sharing what he loved.

Dylan fell in love with Hatcher Pass upon arriving in Alaska in 2018 and explored more miles on snow, rock, and tundra than most do in decades. His love for the mountains, determination to push himself physically and mentally, and humble stoke were infectious and inspiring. He quickly became a leader in the Hatcher Pass backcountry and acted as a bridge between the “old guard” and “new guard” in our tight-knit community.

Dylan was a grounding presence–someone to remind you of what is important in stressful times, and to do it with a few carefully chosen words and his disarming laugh. We will not easily heal our broken hearts, but we’ll know where to find our friend as we return to snowy spines and tundra ridges.

Dylan’s family has asked HPAC to administer two funds in Dylan’s memory: one to support his partner, Ella, in this time of profound grief, and the other to honor his commitment to avalanche safety by creating the Dylan Lenzie Memorial Scholarship. You can donate to these funds at hpavalanche.org/donate.

We would love to read your memories, stories, and tributes to Dylan in the comments.

05/04/2026

❄️ Avalanche Information for May 4th ❄️

A winter of drought has ushered in a deluge of spring, and conditions in the mountains remain cold, wet, and snowy.

Hatcher Pass has had more snow and avalanches in the last two weeks than the rest of the season.

If you’re heading out in the mountains, be prepared to find a climbing snowline with wet, heavy snow up to about 3000 ft, and an assortment of new and old snow avalanche problems above that.

Creeks are opening, and travel at lower elevations is challenging, but up high, winter retains its grip, cornices are growing, and triggering slab avalanches remains possible.

Unsettled weather continues through the week, with another foot of snow possible, but any periods of sun could produce wet avalanches.

Watch for red flags, including any periods of new snow, wind, rapid warming, and recent avalanches.

Practice safe travel protocol, carry essential gear, and keep an eye on the weather. We will continue to publish observations as they come in and will issue an updated outlook on Friday.

Special Announcements:

We are devastated to share that our friend and colleague, Dylan Lenzie, passed away from injuries sustained in an avalanche accident outside the forecast area this week. We are gathering information and have published a preliminary report available on the website.

05/02/2026

We are devastated to share that our friend and colleague, Dylan Lenzie passed away from injuries sustained in an avalanche accident outside of the forecast area this week.

We are gathering information and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this tragic time.

05/01/2026

⚠️ Avalanche Information ⚠️
We have updated our General Information Product today, May 1st, 2026.

Old Man Winter decided to show up late this year. With continued snowfall this weekend, you could find trouble as you climb in elevation, where recent wind has built fresh, sensitive drifts of snow.

It will be difficult for a skier or rider to trigger a large avalanche failing on buried weak layers deep in the snowpack, but don't rule out the possibility of triggering a slide.

Avalanches failing in the new wind-drifted snow may step down to these buried weak layers; additionally, avalanches could be triggered by a cornice fall or continued warm temperatures.

Give cornices a wide berth, as they can break further back than you think, and with continued snowfall, blustery winds, and warm temperatures this weekend they may fail naturally.

Practice safe travel protocol, carry essential gear, and keep an eye on the weather. We will continue to publish observations as they come in and will issue an updated outlook on Monday.

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Head to our website at hpavalanche.org for more information.
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04/30/2026

Forecaster Observation 4/29:

Yesterday we traveled on snowmachine into the upper Willow drainage to assess coverage, stability, and observe recent avalanche activity.

We found great riding conditions with snow that had dried out overnight and was settling towards a more right side up snowpack. Snow pits revealed some shallow wild loaded instabilities and weak snow near the ground. We observed an abundance of recent snowmachine tracks and some isolated activity on these layers. Our main concern was warming related instabilities but we noted the addition of large cornices from the recent storm.

In the early afternoon, we gained the back of Skyscraper Ridge and transitioned to skis. We were traversing across the ridge when we triggered a very large cornice that then sympathetically triggered a large, deep persistent slab avalanche. Two of our party had fallen off the cornice and were caught and carried down the slope in the subsequent avalanche. Both were uninjured and one was buried up to their waist.

This was an accident that could have ended very differently and we are grateful that everyone is ok.

Cornices are large and fragile, and will break farther back on the ridge than you think. Give them plenty of space and avoid time under them as the day warms and they could fail naturally. Stability is improving and avalanches are becoming less likely, but warming, moisture, and weak snow in the snowpack is complicating conditions.

Practice good travel protocol, ski slopes one at a time and choose terrain with low run outs. Give cornices plenty of room and avoid spending time under them in the heat of the day.

04/28/2026

Thanks for the season everyone! We appreciate all of the engagement and support this year.

Daily advisories have finished, but the avalanche season has not. An unstable snowpack and unsettled weather will make for periods of increased avalanche hazard this week.

Watch for red flags, including any periods of new snow, wind, rapid warming, and recent avalanches.

An assortment of avalanche problems will present with a spring snowpack, including new and wind-affected snow, wet snow, and cornice fall. Most of these problems can be managed by starting early and avoiding steep, wind-loaded slopes.

Warming-related avalanches will pose the biggest hazard and could impact low elevations. Avoid gullies, creek bottoms, and terrain traps under steep slopes during the heat of the day.

Hatcher Pass could accumulate some rain and snow this week, and new snow avalanches are possible. Look out for signs of instability like cracking or collapsing in the new snow.

Practice safe travel protocol, carry essential gear, and keep an eye on the weather. We will continue to publish observations as they come in and will issue an updated outlook on Friday.

04/27/2026

⚠️ Avalanche Information ⚠️

Daily advisories have finished, but the avalanche season has not. An unstable snowpack and unsettled weather will make for periods of increased avalanche hazard this week.

Watch for red flags, including any periods of new snow, wind, rapid warming, and recent avalanches.

An assortment of avalanche problems will present with a spring snowpack, including new and wind-affected snow, wet snow, and cornice fall. Most of these problems can be managed by starting early and avoiding steep, wind-loaded slopes.

Warming-related avalanches will pose the biggest hazard and could impact low elevations. Avoid gullies, creek bottoms, and terrain traps under steep slopes during the heat of the day.

Hatcher Pass could accumulate some rain and snow this week, and new snow avalanches are possible. Look out for signs of instability like cracking or collapsing in the new snow.

Practice safe travel protocol, carry essential gear, and keep an eye on the weather. We will continue to publish observations as they come in and will issue an updated outlook on Friday.

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Head to avalanche.org or download the app to view all the observations and weather info in one place.

Address

Palmer Fishhook
Palmer, AK
99645

Website

http://www.hpavalanche.org/donate

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