Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering large, destructive avalanches is unlikely but not impossible. You can avoid steep, rocky terrain where the wind has alternately drifted or scoured the snow surface to reduce your chances of finding trouble.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Your odds of triggering a dense, 2-5 foot thick slab avalanche are low but not zero. You may still find this problem in isolated areas on slopes facing the northern half of the compass, where the wind frequently blows and the snowpack depth is variable. Avalanches are easier to trigger in thin spots at the edges of slabs. Here are some visual clues to identify suspect slopes:

    • Wind-pillows, and textured surfaces where the wind has moved snow  
    • Rocks sticking out of the snow and wind-scouring along mid-slope gullies
    • Terrain where some part of the slope is at least 35 degrees

    Remotely triggering an avalanche from flat terrain near steep slopes remains a possibility. If you do trigger an avalanche, you probably won't observe obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking beforehand.

    (1/11/2025) Shallow wind slab avalanche with evidence of a deeper, older persistent slab avalanche. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Our odds of triggering a large avalanche are low, but professionals continue to cautiously choose slopes with uniform, planar entrances and short sections of lower-angle avalanche terrain (low 30-degree slopes).

Continue to practice safe travel protocols. Travel with a skilled partner and keep each other in sight. If you choose to enter avalanche terrain, do so one at a time and stack the odds in your favor by avoiding slopes that end in terrain traps like thick trees, cliffs, and creek bottoms.

Regions covered