Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely. If you were to find trouble, it would probably be on very steep slopes on the northern half of the compass. Small wet loose avalanches are possible on sun drenched slopes that are sheltered from the wind.  

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    It's been almost three weeks since the last large slab avalanche ocurred in this zone. Triggering a big slide on weak snow buried in February is unlikely but can't be completely ruled out. Before triggering an avalanche, you're unlikely to experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking or collapsing. You are most likely to trigger a slide in the mountains around the Wood River Valley, where:

    • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
    • The snowpack is relatively shallow - where the wind frequently blows, you may be able to trigger an avalanche where the slab is not uniformly thick
    • The slope faces the northern half of the compass

    (2/18/2025) A skier on Patterson Pk near Hailey triggered this large avalanche. After several turns on the slope, the slide broke above and around them. Thankfully, the skier was able to ski ahead and to the side of the slab. NW @ 8,050'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

If you're planning to play in very steep terrain: 

  • Wet Loose avalanches: Friday, riders in the Sawtooths observed a decent-sized wet loose slide while riding near Alturas Lake. Today's expected breezy winds should keep most sun-drenched slopes from getting too wet and sloppy, but natural wet loose slides aren't out of the question. You can hedge your bets by not lingering under very steep, wind-sheltered slopes basking in unobscured sun—especially later in the day.
  • Wind Slab avalanches: Isolated wind slabs formed several days ago. The slabs are weathered and generally difficult to trigger, but they deserve respect in extreme terrain. 
  • Cornices: There are some monster cornices out there, and many are sagging due to the warm temperatures. Almost every long-time avalanche professional has a story about a cornice unexpectedly breaking under their feet or behind them. Be careful while traveling near large cornices, and minimize the time you spend in consequential terrain directly below them. 

 

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