Alaska Safe Riders: Stick to groomed and marked trails

Alaska Safe Riders here with your weekly snow and trail report — proudly supported by the Mat-Su Health Foundation and the Frontiersman.

If you are trying to decide where to ride this weekend — your safest bet is to stick to groomed and marked trail systems. Eureka continues to be a decent option if you stay on trail. Riders report thin coverage off trail with alders waiting, but groomed routes are holding up thanks to Eureka Trails Inc. and the scenery is hard to beat. In Hatcher Pass, coverage remains low on both the east and west sides, with the west side offering slightly better conditions.

Across Hatcher, Petersville, and Turnagain, riders are reporting hard-packed, wind-affected snow with crust layers sitting over weak facets. That’s a poor snow structure. It may feel supportable in spots, but that weak layer is still there — and any new snow or additional wind loading will add stress and increase the likelihood of avalanches on slopes 30 to 40 degrees. Icy up tracks are unforgiving, and inconsistent. Wind-filled holes can catch you off guard.

Cantwell riders report wind-scoured and hard-packed conditions above treeline, while the trees are holding more forgiving snow, with around 15 inches of fresh on the base. We’re also seeing overflow in some Mat-Su trail systems, and cold temperatures mean small problems can turn serious quickly. Get the latest forecast at alaska_snow_dog_org.

Bottom line — ride familiar trails, watch for thin coverage and hidden obstacles, be cautious on steep terrain. Visit alasakasaferiders.org for more resources, event details, and to become a safe rider.

From all of us at Alaska Safe Riders — Ride smart, ride prepared, and always return safely.