Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Below-freezing temperatures at night and warmer, sunny conditions during the day have created a firm surface crust across the mountains, making it difficult to trigger an avalanche. Generally safe conditions exist, but the place a skier or rider could potentially awaken a stubborn buried weak layer and trigger a large avalanche would be in areas where a surface crust isn’t present, and the snowpack is shallow. If you travel in terrain steeper than 35 degrees, be aware of these isolated soft, shallow spots around rocky wind-scoured features or the backside of steep convex rollovers. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A widespread and firm surface crust is making it difficult to influence persistent weak layers that are buried 2 to 3+ feet deep. While the snowpack structure is still present, these weak layers have shown that sensitivity is decreasing and stability is trending in a positive direction. Minor differences across the forecast zones exist; the January 1st buried surface hoar has been more present in the Northern Mountains but has been more difficult to find in the Silver Valley-Bitterroots as a result of the brief January 2nd- 3rd rain event that climbed higher in elevation in the south, which helped destroy the surface hoar in many areas.

    While the sensitivity of these weak layers has trended towards unreactive, the places you might still be able to trigger a large avalanche are found in isolated areas where the snowpack has a soft surface and is shallower in steep, rocky complex terrain. If you choose to travel in this type of terrain, avoid complacency and continue to use safe travel habits.

    A large natural avalanche that was probably triggered by rapidly warming temperatures following an extended period of cold, snowy weather. The slide failed on a northeast aspect around 5,350 feet, and we estimated the crown around 4 feet deep, likely failing on a buried persistent weak layer. 

    Selkirk Mountains. January 14, 2026.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

Avalanche Discussion

Today will look and feel very similar to the day before, with overnight freezing temperatures creating firm surface conditions, and continued high pressure allowing for stable weather and good visibility above valley inversions. 

As far as the avalanche hazard goes, there is very little change from yesterday. Firm and refrozen snow surfaces may not make for the most pleasant skiing and riding conditions, but it is making it difficult to trigger an avalanche. As you move in the mountains, expect anywhere from a breakable to supportable crust to be present all the way up into upper elevations. If you move into steeper and more complex terrain, pay attention to changes in surface conditions. 

The isolated place where a skier or rider could trigger a sleepy, persistent weak layer will be in shallow and sheltered pieces of terrain where the surface is soft, and a crust isn’t present. In areas where the crust is thin and breakable, a machine may be able to trench deeper into the snowpack and influence deeper weak layers. Although unlikely, finding this not-so-sweet spot could result in a large avalanche. 

It feels and looks like spring, but the snowpack is currently a bit more complex than a typical springtime snowpack. Make sure to keep your avalanche brain on and engaged, and continue to use good travel habits. 

If you get out to enjoy some sunshine, please consider dropping an observation HERE. Something as simple as describing the weather and surface conditions throughout your day helps our forecast staff and the backcountry community as a whole. We have recently received some helpful observations from the public, and look forward to reading more. 

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