Avalanche forecast

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Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You may be able to trigger small avalanches at upper elevations where the wind has drifted snow, and both dry and wet loose snow avalanches are possible on very steep slopes. While small, either of these could be enough to knock you off your skis or sled and take you for a ride. Generally stable avalanche conditions exist, and large avalanches are unlikely. 

Avalanche Discussion

While large avalanches are unlikely in this zone, there are still a few things to keep in mind as you are traveling in the mountains today. Encountering these small, isolated hazards in the wrong sort of terrain can have high consequences.

WIND SLABS: Over the past few days, skiers and riders have found unstable drifts of snow on middle and upper elevation slopes across our region. On Saturday, a skier triggered a wind slab avalanche (crown photo, debris photo) in the neighboring Sawtooths & Western Smoky zone. It broke about a foot deep and 50' wide. These slabs have been small and isolated and are unlikely to produce a slide large enough to bury you. Look for these slabs in terrain that is exposed to the wind. How do you look for them? Surface textures such as ripples on the surface are good signs of slabs. Be alert to changes in how the snow feels as well. If it quickly gets denser and stiffer you've likely found one of the isolated slabs.

LOOSE SNOW AVALANCHES: Today's loose snow avalanches will come in two flavors:

  • DRY - If you are finding cold snow to ski and ride through on steep slopes you may be able to trigger a dry sluff. 
  • WET - Today will be another warm and sunny day. As the sun heats up the snow surface and melts the crusts that exist, be aware that the likelihood of encountering this type of slide will increase. In very steep, rocky, treed terrain, small wet loose slides may occur naturally.

Both of these types of loose snow avalanches are relatively easy to manage, as long as you're paying attention. However, they can also both produce slides large enough to knock you off your feet and send you down the slope at speed, thanks to the stiff snow surfaces underneath.

Want to catch up on the last week's conditions? Be sure to check out the latest weekend update from Chris.

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