Stevens Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Irene Henninger
Issued: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineWind will drift new snow into thicker and more reactive deposits, were human triggered avalanches are possible. At mid and upper elevations, avalanche danger will increase as more snow falls throughout the day, with 4-6" possible by the evening. Search for where wind actively deposits snow, and identify thicker, heavier drifts and steer clear of these locations on steep slopes.
Avalanche Danger
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
7000-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
7000-6000ft3 - Considerable
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
1 - Low | 2 - Moderate | 3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally 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 Avalanches | Natural 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 Distribution | Small 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. |
Avalanche Problems (1)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Example photo: Wind drifted snow around features like rock outcroppings, where it's more likely you can trigger an avalanche. Note the wind transported snow visible in this photo.
Snow and avalanche danger will gradually build through the day. Early on, triggering an avalanche may be unlikely, but once wind drifts reach about 6 inches deep, shift away from steep, wind-loaded slopes. Even small avalanches can cause serious harm in high-consequence terrain—like being swept over cliffs, or into rocks or trees.
Search for wind slabs near ridgelines, gullies, and around terrain features like rocky outcrops. Look for pillowed or wind-textured snow as clues. At higher elevations, a smooth, slippery crust may sit beneath the new snow, making it easier for both wind slabs and loose snow to slide.
Freezing levels drop Monday night, likely locking up previously soft surfaces. It remains uncertain how well the new snow will bond to the old surface, so use small test slopes and hand pits to assess stability. If you’re unsure, stick to lower-angle, sheltered terrain.
Forecast Discussion
I toured up to Heather Ridge past Skyline Lake on Monday. By midday, most surfaces had softened. On north-facing slopes off the ridge, the top ~6 inches was especially sloppy—I was triggering rollerballs and gouging through that layer while skiing steep terrain. South aspects stayed firmer, except for the lower couple hundred feet where snow was dirty, melted out, and soft. Only a trace of new snow was present above about 5000 ft.
It’s been full-on spring lately, but it’s time to shift back to a winter mindset. Dry snow problems are back to being the the main concern. By the end of the day, we could have 4-6 inches of snow with moderate winds, and danger will further increase overnight, when another 6 or more inches of snow could fall. Temperatures are expected to stay cool, keeping the snow dry at most elevations.
Beneath the new snow layer, expect rough, crusty surfaces. This hard, frozen layer is sitting over large, moist grains that exist all the way to the ground across most aspects and elevations. The old snow layer may still have a soft surface at lower elevations. Here, small rollerballs may run in any new snow that accumulates where temperatures are flirting with the freezing line. Also beware of plenty of irregularities, cracks, and holes in the snowpack that has been subjected to plenty of melting over the past couple of weeks.
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.