Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Refer to the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns forecast if you're traveling in the Soldier Mtns, Dollarhide Summit area, in the Warm Springs drainage, or near the northern border of this zone. Last night's storm created very dangerous conditions  where a significant amount of snow existed before the storm.

We will begin issuing daily Avalanche Forecasts with Danger Ratings when snow cover allows for reasonable backcountry recreational access.

A snowpack exists on many slopes above about 6500' near the Coyote and Tornak huts; in the Warm Springs Ck drainage, including out of bounds on Bald Mountain; in the mountains north of Ketchum; and in the Soldier Mountains. If you are traveling in these areas, refer to the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns forecast.

At lower elevations and on most southerly-facing slopes, it does not look or feel like winter in this zone. Access and travel remain challenging in many standard recreational play areas due to thin or non-existent snow cover. Plan for a real adventure if you choose to explore the mountains in most of this zone.

Where last night's snow fell on bare ground, avalanches are unlikely. Where previous snowcover was minimal, be on the lookout for wind drifts and slabs in exposed terrain where more than about 6" of snow fell. The slabs buried a variety of snow surfaces: sugary facets, thick and thin crusts, crust + facet combos, and feathery surface hoar. The old snow surfaces, and the chance of triggering a slide, can change dramatically as you move up or down in elevation and / or to sunnier or shadier aspects. Conditions are tricky.