Avalanche forecast

Banner Summit

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Large human-triggered avalanches are more likely on slopes where wind has formed drifts and slabs. In terrain sheltered from the wind, triggering large avalanches is less likely but not out of the question. You may be able to trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering wide, 1-3 foot thick avalanches is most likely in recently wind-loaded terrain. The storm and wind-driven snow buried weak facets, surface hoar, and crust-facet combinations on many middle and upper elevation slopes. More deeply buried weak layers that formed during the extended Jan-Feb drought (facets, crust + facets, surface hoar) have not healed and remain suspect, primarily on NW-N-NE-E aspects above and below the middle-to-upper elevation transition. 

    Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways. They can be much wider than expected and be triggered remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

    Avoiding steep wind-loaded slopes is the best way to avoid trouble today. Recognize that avalanches are also possible in more sheltered terrain. Snowpack cracking and collapsing are clear signs of unstable conditions.Additional Discussion: Whether a weak layer exists or not, the combination of recent snowfall and moderate to strong winds formed slabs that may remain sensitive to your weight. Look for wind-affected surfaces, dunes, or drifts.  Feel for stiff slabs overlying weaker or softer snow. These often form near exposed ridgelines. These smaller wind slabs, once moving, are an effective trigger for the larger Persistent Slab avalanches described above.

    (2/19/2026) Slab avalanche above Swamp Lk south of Copper Mtn. N @ 8,600'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

I'll be honest, we're concerned about this weekend. Our current situation is ripe for accidents. A long drought during January and early February left powder seekers eager. During that period, weak layers developed throughout our area. A significant storm finally arrived earlier this week, enhancing the riding conditions but burying those weak layers. In response to the new snow and wind, we experienced an avalanche cycle. Now, a few days have passed, and the likelihood of avalanches has gradually decreased. Obvious signs of instability are becoming less reliable, which may give you a false sense of security while traveling through terrain. The first sign of instability could be an avalanche you trigger. 

We’re heading into a sunny weekend with temperatures slowly rising. As the weather warms, the dry surface snow may begin to turn into denser slabs, or we could even see loose snow avalanches occurring on steep sunny slopes. Either could be enough to trigger larger avalanches, failing on weak layers deeper in the snowpack. 

Many people, myself included, are keen to make deep trenches in the snow. Remember, this will not be the last weekend to ride powder. As we head out to enjoy the snow, we'll be managing our terrain selection by choosing lower-angle slopes without overhead hazards. 

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