Lawinenlagebericht

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 7 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Be on the lookout for small wind drifts on upper-elevation slopes, particularly on terrain facing N-NE-E. Loose snow avalanches can also occur on steep slopes as the day warms. Both can knock a rider off their feet & into consequential spots. Generally stable conditions exist on slopes protected from the wind—continue to practice safe travel habits in the backcountry & give terrain near or under cornices a wide buffer.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1–2

    You may encounter small pockets of old wind slab 1-2 feet deep at upper elevations that formed during last week's storm. While most of these will be unreactive, isolated areas may remain sensitive to a rider's weight. Today's weather system will produce gusty SW winds averaging 15-25 mph at ridgetops. However, without a ton of loose snow available for transport, expect any fresh wind slabs to be very small. Bear in mind that even small amounts of moving snow could be enough to pull the rug out from under you and carry you into a consequential spot (cliffs and rock bands) or into a terrain trap (creekbed, gully, or trees).  

    . We've received reports of triggered wind slabs—including a few in the last 24 hrs.

    This is a problem to avoid, not mitigate—rule out the presence of wind slabs before committing to steep slopes.

    (1/10/2026)

    A rider triggered a small wind slab yesterday in the Salmon River Range. It is worth keeping in mind that even small avalanches can be consequential in the wrong terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

While the snowpack is generally stable, low hazard is not a "turn your brain off" environment—there are a few potential concerns to keep in mind. They're not widespread or likely to produce a large avalanche, but they could be dangerous in higher-consequence terrain.

  • WIND SLABS: Oh, the old-reliable wind slab problem. You may find small but potentially sensitive wind slabs at upper elevations today. Some reports of rider-triggered wind slabs, though small, have trickled in. Even small slabs can pose a threat if encountered unexpectedly or in the wrong spot. Pay close attention to signs of surface wind texture, like waves or ripples—or snow that feels thicker, denser, or more cohesive than what you're finding on wind-sheltered slopes. Additionally, it is the time of season when cornices have grown large, and these hunks of snow can break in unexpected ways, or farther back on ridgelines.
  • LOOSE SNOW AVALANCHES: Observers have also reported "sluffy" conditions in steep terrain protected from the wind. The top several inches of the snowpack are weakening with each day of dry weather, producing near-surface facets. And while this snow remains relatively harmless before it is buried, it can create patches of cohesionless, loose snow that slides easily when skiers or riders disturb it. Today's forecasted temps and wind should counterbalance direct sunshine. However, warming on steep, sunny slopes or in snow around rocky outcrops could cause recent snow to come unglued, forming relatively small sluffs. Keep these two things on your radar, as they merit consideration and respect.

Our habits follow us. Avalanche hazard ratings will always fluctuate up and down throughout a winter, but our travel habits should remain the same. Have fun but keep it tight! If you're getting out and about in the mountains, drop us an observation HERE.

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