Haines Avalanche Center
Above 2,500ftNone
1,500 to 2,500ftNone
Below 1,500ftNone
Degrees of Avalanche Danger
Avalanche Problems
Problem 1
Likelihood:
- Almost Certain
- Very Likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
Size:
- Historic
- Very Large
- Large
- Small
Trend
- Increasing
- Steady
- Decreasing
Avalanche Activity
Observations in the Pass have been thin due to weeks of bad weather.
Photo: Large natural slide near Chuck Creek/Dick Creek submitted to HAC in early January.
Three people were buried by a slide near the Chuck Creek trailhead on Dec. 30th, with 1 survivor. More information available on our Accidents page.
Please report any observed avalanche activity on our observations page.
Weather
South of the Pass, there was a massive 8-10ft snow dump between January 19th-Feb 5th (Sadly this plentiful snowfall didn’t make it up to the higher elevations in the Pass itself, which had strong north winds strip away most of the new snow.) Since then, warm weather brought light-moderate rain/snow mix up to 1,500ft from Feb. 6th-13th. Since then, temperatures dropped into the teens and a few inches of new snow fell on top of the re-frozen snowpack.Â
Looking ahead, expect light snow showers above 1,500ft Wednesday, followed by another 1.2″ SWE Thursday. This will mean 1-3 feet of new snowfall above the rain line this week. Snow levels Thursday will be near 500ft. South winds will be moderate to strong. Cooler temperatures are likely for the weekend with a possible storm coming in on Saturday.
 Snow Depth [in] | Last 24-hr Snow/SWE [in] | Last 3-days Snow/SWE [in] | Today’s Freezing Level [ft] |  Today’s Winds | Next 24-hr Snow/SWE | |
Mount Ripinsky @ treeline |
 120+” | 10″ / 0.80* | 12″ / 1.00 * | 1500 | Mod, S | 3″ / 0.20   * |
Flower Mountain @ treeline |
 66″ | 4″ / 0.40 | 5″ / 0.50 | 1500 | Mod, S | 1″ / 0.10   * |
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft |
 24″ | 1″ / 0.10 | 2″ / 0.20 | 1500 | Mod, S | 0″ / 0.00  * |
( *star means meteorological estimate )
Additional Information
Do a beacon check with your partners at the trailhead to ensure everyone is beeping and familiar with their equipment. Do a rescue practice / beacon practice at home. ALWAYS wear a beacon, shovel, and probe, and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM!
Announcements
Please check the Lutak/Transitional Zones for the latest updates. The next update to the forecast will be Friday Feb. 21 for the Kat-to-Koot Alpine Adventure Race.
Due to limited funding this season, we will be issuing occasional advisories dependent on conditions. Click the -Full Forecast- button below for more details and to sign up for Rescue and Level 1 Courses. Please keep submitting your observations to keep everyone up-to-date on current conditions.