Stevens Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Josh Hirshberg
Issued: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 6:33 PM PDT
Expires: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineIt will be easy to trigger avalanches in the new snow, and they'll be especially dangerous where the wind forms fresh drifts near ridges and at upper elevations. Watch for recent avalanches, actively blowing snow, and stiffer drifts as signs of the danger. Steer around drifted pillows of snow just below ridges and use caution on all slopes over 35 degrees.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 2, 2026
7000-6000ft3 - Considerable
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft2 - Moderate
Friday, April 3, 2026
7000-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft2 - Moderate
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 (2)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Cross-loaded, wind-textured snow and a partially filled-in crowns of avalanches (D2) that occurred around 3/20. White Pine ck, 6,900ft, N-NE
Photo: Josh HirshbergAt upper elevations, avalanches could be big enough to bury you. Watch for blowing snow to indicate where you can trigger avalanches. Manage the risk by steering around wind-stiffened snow below ridges, drifts, and convex roll-overs where you suspect fresh wind slabs. Better yet, stay off steep, leeward slopes altogether. Seek out wind-sheltered terrain or slopes under 35 degrees.
The Stevens Pass zone could receive 7-10" of snow Wednesday night into Thursday. Westerly winds could gust up to 30mph. The new snow could slide easily on slick crusts and weak old snow surfaces.
Problem #2: Dry Loose
Problem Type
Dry Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
The west face of Rock Mtn in late afternoon light with fresh point releases (likely dry).
Photo: Ryan MintonWith 7-10" of new snow falling on a variety of surfaces, you may be able to trigger avalanches in wind-sheltered terrain, as well. Loose avalanches will be more predictable and smaller, but they could still be dangerous if they catch you off guard. Use small test slopes to see how easily the snow slides before committing to bigger terrain. Use caution near terrain traps, where an avalanche could push you into rocks, trees, or gullies.
Forecast Discussion
Another cool, spring snowstorm is moving over Stevens Pass. There's some uncertainty about how the new snow will bond to the variety of old snow surfaces. Additionally, you may see some partial clearing, especially in the eastern part of the zone. If you see the sun, expect that it may get easier to trigger avalanches on steep east, south, and west aspects.
On Tuesday, an NWAC forecaster in the Skyline Lake area found a variety of conditions. On steep, northerly slopes, there was about 1 foot of soft snow over the stout, 3/25 crust. Some weak, faceted grains could be seen on and just below the surface. Many other slopes had crusts either on the surface or just below it.
Check the bond at the interface between the new and old snow. The new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces. On northerly aspects, weak, faceted layers and recent storm snow could be buried, especially above 5,000ft. The new snow will fall on slick crusts on sun-exposed, east, south, and west aspects. At middle and upper elevations, old surfaces are wind-textured and drifted. On March 25th, Stevens Pass picked up 1-1.5 ft of snow, accompanied by strong westerly winds. This snow can still be found resting on a stout crust, about 1 foot below the surface.
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.