Stevens Pass
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Josh Hirshberg
Issued: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineExpect typical of spring weather and avalanche conditions with firm, frozen surfaces in the morning and warming, wet snow as the day progresses. Avalanches will be difficult to trigger, but you may find wet, unsupportive areas in the afternoon. Bring equipment to prevent a fall on steep, frozen slopes and keep an eye out for isolated cornices or chunks of snow falling off of cliffs.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 9, 2026
7000-6000ft1 - Low
6000-5000ft1 - Low
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Friday, April 10, 2026
7000-6000ft1 - Low
6000-5000ft1 - Low
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. |
Forecast Discussion
You will find diurnal changes in snow and weather, from cold first thing in the morning to the heat of the afternoon. Bring traction equipment, such as crampons (ski/boot), to prevent an uncontrolled fall on steep, frozen slopes. East aspects will warm up first, and later west aspects. The sun is even impacting the northeast and northwest aspects. During this spring melt, there are still hazards to consider. While avalanches are unlikely at low danger, they're not impossible.
Cooler temperatures have reduced the chance of wet avalanches since earlier in the week. However, the potential hasn't completely disappeared. As the day warms up, pay attention to snow surfaces. If you're sinking into the top of your boots while standing on the snow, it's time to move to lower-angle terrain. Cornices, shedding, and steep rocks and cliffs might still send snow down from above. Move through terrain with overhead hazards more quickly in the warm afternoon.
On Wednesday, observers on Rock Mountain reported supportive, surfaces most of the day, and thick crusts. Observer reported new wet-loose avalanches from steep terrain as recently as Monday night. On a south aspect of Lichtenberg Mountain, skiers triggered numerous wet loose avalanches.
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.