A backcountry skier died in a large avalanche near Haines Pass just inside British Columbia, prompting forecasters to warn that an unusually unstable late-season snowpack could persist into spring. Similar human-triggered avalanches and hazardous conditions were also reported in Southcentral Alaska near Turnagain Pass and Girdwood.

A third major snowstorm in two weeks hit Alaska’s Upper Lynn Canal, prompting officials to urge residents to stay home as plows struggled with whiteout conditions and heavy snowfall. An avalanche along the Haines Highway led to a highway closure due to high slide risk and deteriorating weather.

An avalanche near Mile 16 of the Haines Highway in Alaska struck three vehicles on Jan. 9, 2026, leaving occupants uninjured but temporarily trapping vehicles on top of the slide debris. The Alaska Department of Transportation cleared the slide and later closed sections of the highway due to worsening weather and continued avalanche risk.

Heavy snowfall in Haines, Alaska, last week has increased the risk of avalanche in the area, experts say.

A record week of snowfall in Haines, Alaska (1.93 metres from Dec. 27–31) has created unstable snowpack conditions and raised avalanche danger, according to local experts. Officials urge backcountry users to avoid steep terrain and watch for warning signs like cracking or “woofing.”

The reason for the uptick in human-triggered avalanches this winter: persistent weak layers in the snowpack.