Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You're most likely to trigger a large avalanche where the wind formed stiff drifts or slabs near the snow surface. Cracks are a clear sign that you've found a sensitive slab. You can reduce your risk by seeking out softer snow that's more sheltered from the wind. Loose snow avalanches may release on steep, rocky slopes that face the sun. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Earlier this week, skiers triggered wind slab avalanches in the northern and southern Sawtooths while entering steep, exposed terrain. 

    Although active wind loading has mostly subsided in the past 24 hours, triggering one of these slabs remains possible today in upper and some middle elevation locations. Some slabs overlie crusts and/or thin layers of weak, faceted snow, where they could be easily triggered and break wider than expected. 

    • Look for shooting cracks, smooth dunes, textured snow surfaces, or cornices. 
    • Feel for changing surface conditions as you enter more wind-exposed terrain. Wind slabs will feel firmer than snow in sheltered locations.

    You can reduce your odds of triggering a wind slab by moving to lower-angle terrain sheltered from the wind.

    Additional Discussion: Natural and human-triggered loose snow avalanches are possible in steep terrain. Although likely to be small, these slides can sweep you off your feet or trigger larger slab avalanches as they move downslope. Rollerballs or small herds of snowballs moving downslope indicate that the snow is warming up, and loose avalanches may follow. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    While unlikely, we can't write off triggering large avalanches in middle and upper elevation terrain. Unfortunately, you probably won't receive any obvious signs of instability before triggering one of these lingering monsters. We are most concerned with a layer of weak facets found near the ground on middle and upper elevation slopes, especially those facing away from the sun.

    Triggering a slide on this layer is most likely in rocky, heavily wind-affected areas where the snowpack depth is variable.

    (12/30/2025) Large avalanche in Wilson Ck and another on Duncan Ridge. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

This weekend seems like the perfect setup for a minor misstep with big consequences. Lovely weather, a foot or two of fresh snow, and a general trend towards stability each (individually) can drop your guard in the mountains... but with their forces combined, the pull towards undue avalanche exposure is strong. Don't let this potent cocktail of ideal seeming conditions lull you into skipping steps in your hazard assessment and travel techniques. Keep in mind that big terrain has big consequences for even the slightest mistakes, and that terrain traps below benign seeming slopes can amplify the outcome of small avalanches. If you choose to enter avalanche terrain, only expose one member of your party at a time and have a plan for if something unexpected happens.

Where would we expect to find the most trouble today? In the shallower, rocky, wind-swept, steep terrain where snow depths are more variable. 

If the skies remain clear and winds are calm where you are travelling, be on the lookout for small natural and easily triggerable wet loose snow avalanches. These will primarily be found in steep solar slopes at mid-elevations and can occur near the base of rock outcrops where additional warming occurs.

Regions covered