Avalanche forecast

Avalanche forecast

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Riders and skiers have triggered slab avalanches Sunday and Monday...Triggering a storm slab and or wind slab avalanche 2-4 feet deep is still possible on slopes steeper than 35 degrees in sheltered and loaded terrain. 

Travel in avalanche terrain should only be done with the best travel protocols after a thorough snowpack assessment. 

Use extra caution in wind loaded terrain near ridgelines and cornices, and cornice edges.

If you are seeing red flags like cracking, find another lower angle route to travel.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Sunday temps warmed, but luckily not quite as warm as originally forecasted. Warmer snow, up to 15 inches or more fell on top of lighter drier snow from the storm. Since Wednesday, we had picked up around 34 inches of new snow. On Sunday, warmer, and denser snow turned our snowpack upside down with the newer snow being heavier.

     Riders reported triggering small slides Sunday on cutbanks and seeing cracks and the snow become slabby as well as feeling their sleds move while hearing whoomphing noises. 

    Monday riders reported being surprised when triggering large avalanches in the Lick Cr Drainage and a skier took a ride North of Tamarack Resort and was partially buried.

    Now, there is over 3 feet of new snow with  soft snow, about 7 inches of light and dry on top of a denser layer from Sunday's 15 plus inches of new snow.

    You are most likely to find storm slab instabilities in terrain that was sheltered from the wind at lower and mid elevations. 

     

    (3/17/2025) Crown and debris from avalanche in moon bowl.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Strong gusty winds have been mostly out of the SSW and along with copious amounts of new snow have likely formed sensitive slabs in leeward terrain. Wind slabs are most likely on NW through SE slopes under ridges and cornices, and even on cross-loaded fingers that are exposed. 

    Look for visual clues on the surface as well as dunes or pillows to confirm wind loading direction in the area you plan to travel as the terrain will ultimately dictate slope loading patterns. If you are seeing red flags like cracking or are hearing collapses or whoomphing noises in the snowpack, turn around or find a lower angle route to travel.

    (3/17/2025)

    Visible evidence on the snow surface... direction, SW on this West aspect at aproximately 7500' in the Fisher Cr drainage.

    Photo: George Halcom

Avalanche Discussion

Warm to now Colder temps have helped stabilize and settle the snowpack quite quickly and improve access or travel conditions....Over 3 feet of new snow since last Wednesday could move with you in the form of Dry loose on sheltered slopes steeper than 35 degrees, or on Solar aspects getting heated by the Sun if you are not triggering storm or wind slabs. Loose snow can push you into terrain you may want to avoid, and it could be as simple as a giant tree well or a cliff.

Don't just jump into complex steep terrain with consequences...Ease into steep terrain with choosing simple small slopes that are not a big deal if you trigger an avalanche...Break out your slope meter and check the angle you intend to ride. Use caution on slopes steeper than 30 degrees and keep your eyes on your partners. 

Check out current observations to see what others are seeing, and or submit pics and an observation of your own...Thanks!

Today’s Advisory is sponsored by McCall Sports. Thanks for Supporting the PAC!