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Portage Pass snowkite spot
United States · Alaska
Overview
Portage Pass is a snowkite spot in south-central Alaska, between Portage Lake and Passage Canal (Whittier). This mountain pass offers spectacular snow-covered terrain surrounded by glaciers and alpine peaks. Katabatic winds descend from the glaciers (notably Portage Glacier) and funnel through the pass, creating reliable winter wind conditions. The terrain is relatively flat at the bottom of the pass, ideal for snowkiting. Access is from Whittier via a hiking trail (Anton Anderson tunnel). Snowkite season runs from November to April depending on snow coverage.
Spot forecast for Portage Pass
Sunrise 08:50 · Sunset 18:29
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Portage Pass: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
77h
in September · 7.5 rideable days
Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are April, January and May, at 9 rideable days and 2 °C. The low point is October, at 3 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 92% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is December, at -4 °C. The wettest month is January, with 679 mm. Snow depth peaks in February, at 400 cm.
Monthly averages: Portage Pass
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.5 | 57 h | -3 °C | 679 mm |
| February | 8.0 | 58 h | -1 °C | 409 mm |
| March | 5.0 | 51 h | 1 °C | 501 mm |
| April | 9.0 | 97 h | 4 °C | 516 mm |
| May | 8.5 | 80 h | 6 °C | 492 mm |
| June | 4.0 | 31 h | 13 °C | 280 mm |
| July | 6.5 | 52 h | 16 °C | 285 mm |
| August | 6.5 | 63 h | 15 °C | 321 mm |
| September | 7.5 | 77 h | 12 °C | 653 mm |
| October | 3.0 | 25 h | 5 °C | 501 mm |
| November | 3.5 | 19 h | -1 °C | 446 mm |
| December | 5.0 | 38 h | -4 °C | 494 mm |
Photo gallery of Portage Pass
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Technical details of Portage Pass spot
The spot works with winds from N, NE, ENE, E.
Spot opening date
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Spot type
- Freeride (Ski touring access)
- Altitude
- 28 m
Hazards
Extreme cold — risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Extreme cold weather gear mandatory (dry suit, thick gloves, face mask). Avalanches possible on surrounding slopes — check avalanche bulletin before each session. Glacier crevasses in the glacier area. Portage Lake ice may be unstable — check thickness. Wildlife: bears (brown and black), even in winter (occasional wake-ups). Weather conditions changing rapidly — sudden blizzards possible. Remoteness — rescue services very far away.
Additional information
Snowkite spot — no water navigation. The terrain is snow-covered pass and frozen Portage Lake areas. Snow can be powder, crusted, or icy depending on conditions. The frozen lake surface offers an extended flat area but check ice thickness before venturing out. Typical winter temperatures from -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F). Extreme cold weather gear mandatory.
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Portage, Portage Glacier4.1 kmsource noaa
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Additional stations
-
Camp Road @ Whittier Tunnel3.9 km
Readings reserved for Premium members
source noaa
-
Whittier Access Road @ Tunnel MP 1.354.2 km
Readings reserved for Premium members
source noaa
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Webcams near Portage Pass
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Nearby spots
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