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 as of 04/30/2022 at 08:00 AM and expires on 05/01/2022

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 3,000ftNone

1,500 to 3,000ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast as of 04/30/2022 at 08:00 AM and expires on 05/01/2022

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 4,000ftNone

2,000 to 4,000ftNone

Below 2,000ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
Forecast as of 04/30/2022 at 08:00 AM and expires on 05/01/2022

Current Advisory Level

None

Above 4,000ftNone

2,000 to 4,000ftNone

Below 2,000ftNone

+ FULL FORECAST
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Observations

Tell us what you're seeing out there.

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

Forecaster with the Valdez Avalanche Center

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Other:

2018/2019 Staff & Volunteers

 

Peter Biskind: Forecaster/Instructor

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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

kyle_sobek

Sarah Carter: Forecaster/Instructor/Valdez Avalanche Center Advisory Board President

[email protected]

Sarah enjoys sharing this beautiful, mountainous corner of the world with her two boys, who love to ride too! She instructs 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 and his wife call Tonsina home. He seeks out every opportunity to learn about snow and mountain riding. Kyle works for DOT Ernestine, instructs avalanche courses and forecasts for Valdez Avalanche Center.

Sean Wisner: Rescue Coordinator

Ben Stolen: 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

Kyle Klause: Advisory Board Member

vacant: 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!

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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