Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Early season conditions endure with shallow snowpack in most locations. However, isolated pockets of buried surface hoar persist on north aspect at upper elevations where the skiing and riding is best. Overall stability appears good, but it’s worth taking a look in the snowpack before stepping out into consequential terrain that fits this description.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Miraculously buried surface hoar managed to survive last week's rain event intact in some sheltered openings on north aspect at upper elevations. It can be found buried beneath the rain crust, approximately 18" from surface. We have observed it in multiple locations with varying degrees of reactivity. If you decide to ski or ride terrain that fits this description be sure to follow good backcountry travel habits, like going one at a time into avalanche terrain to minimize exposure to avalanche hazard.

    Photo: Mikey Church

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday Izzy, George and I toured up the Training Grounds at Lookout Pass to assess conditions on the north side of the FAA Towers. We were specifically looking for surface hoar that formed on November 24th and was buried on the 30th. In our snow pit we were able to identify a layer of intact 1/2” to 3/4” surface hoar approximately 18” from surface underneath last week’s rain crust. At this point the buried surface hoar has been observed at several location across the zone and can be found in sheltered openings on north aspects at upper elevations, precisely where skiing and riding conditions are best. Our stability test results (ECTP28) showed that although stubborn, the persistent weak layer shows potential to propagate. Although the avalanche hazard assigned to this layer is low, being isolated and small for the time being, this will be a layer we keep an eye on as it gets loaded with more snow as the season progresses.

If you can get to upper elevations that have held snow, the skiing has actually been pretty fun despite the ever-present danger of near surface ski destroyers: logs, rocks and shrubbery. There just simply is not enough snow in most locations to venture far off the beaten path.

If you are able to get out this weekend, enjoy the boring weather and generally stable snowpack.

Thank you to those who have submitted observations…keep’em coming. Stay safe out there and pray for snow!

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