Unusual weather conditions, including warming temperatures and increased rainfall, forced multiple Southcentral Alaska ski areas to close, while others faced high winds and heavy snow, highlighting a challenging winter for ski operations and backcountry travel.

Observation by Kim Holzer:

Skeetawk Ski Area wrote online that it closed this weekend due to warming temperatures and increased rainfall.

Meanwhile, Arctic Valley Ski Area was dealing with the opposite problem. It said online that high winds and lots of snow left one area with a six-foot snow drift. The ski area said it hopes to be fully open next weekend.

Hilltop Ski Area was also keeping skiers and snowboarders off of the slopes due to high winds.

LEO Says:

In Hatcher Pass and Turnagain Pass forecasting area, the avalanche forecast was high over the weekend. See links in the sidebar for avalanche information, education, and forecasts. It's been an unusual winter with very warm weather. This has brought many challenging conditions both for ski areas and backcountry travels.