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Due to recent storm damage, the access road to the northern trailhead is closed until further notice. Please use alternate routes.

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Stevens Pass

Backcountry Avalanche Forecast

This is an archived product. View the most recent forecast or all archived forecasts.

Author: Josh Hirshberg

Issued: Friday, April 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT

Expires: Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT

The Bottom Line

Prepare for firm snow surfaces in the morning and general mountain hazards. Wet avalanches will be difficult to trigger but not impossible, particularly as the snow softens. Move off steep slopes if you sink deeply into wet snow, and limit your time below cornices and rock faces holding snow.

Avalanche Danger

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Upper Elevations
7000-6000ft
1 - LowLow
Middle Elevations
6000-5000ft
1 - LowLow
Lower Elevations
5000-3000ft
1 - LowLow

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Upper Elevations
7000-6000ft
1 - LowLow
Middle Elevations
6000-5000ft
1 - LowLow
Lower Elevations
5000-3000ft
1 - LowLow
Elevation Band Descriptions
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral Info1 - Low2 - Mod3 - Cons4 - High5 - Extr
Low
1 - Low
Moderate
2 - Moderate
Considerable
3 - Considerable
High
4 - High
Extreme
5 - Extreme
Travel AdviceGenerally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Likelihood of AvalanchesNatural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.
Avalanche Size and DistributionSmall avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.Very large avalanches in many areas.

Forecast Discussion

While avalanches are unlikely, there are hazards to consider. Even with slim chances, the consequences of a cornice fall or a rock face shedding snow could be significant. If you're traveling at high into the mountains, it's wise to minimize your exposure to potential overhead hazards. As is typical in spring, the chance of avalanches will increase as the day warms.

Expect less overnight freeze and light rain on Saturday. The snow surface may be frozen first thing in the morning, but it will likely be slushy by midday. Bring traction equipment, like crampons (ski/boot), to prevent an uncontrolled fall on steep, frozen slopes. Clouds and light precipitation will both prevent a solid freeze and slowly soften the snow surface. There's a slight chance that you could find areas of wet and unsupportive snow sufficient enough to trigger small wet avalanches. If you sink into the snow up to the top of your boots, it's time to move to lower-angle terrain.

On the 8th, an observer on Rock Mountain reported supportive, surfaces most of the day, and thick crusts. On Thursday, an NWAC forecaster in the Skyline Lake area reported similar conditions. While not avalanches, observers have reported a couple of rockfall events in the past week. The last natural wet avalanches were reported to have run on the 6th. Skiers triggered wet loose avalanches on the south aspect of Lichtenberg Mountain

Prepare for low snow cover, open creeks, and icy surfaces, which create various travel hazards. 

This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions. It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.