Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle 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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Be cautious on steep upper-elevation slopes with fresh drifted slabs over a hard crust. If you notice cracking in the snow or a recent avalanche on a similar slope, consider changing your route. Watch for deeper drifts near ridgelines or in gullies, which may look pillowy or lens-shaped. As the day warms, monitor how wet the snow becomes—if you see rollerballs or large pinwheels, avoid sunny slopes in the afternoon, as the risk of wet avalanches may be increasing. Additionally, small pockets of wind-drifted snow at higher elevations could still be triggered by a person or machine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Snowfall overnight on March 3 brought a much-needed refresh of snow across the region, and delivered a fresh layer of higher density snow. The Selkirks and Cabinet Mountains received around 4 to 6 inches of new snow and observers found totals closer to a foot deep around 7,000 feet. The new snow, combined with moderate wind speeds from the southwest-west built fresh slabs on leeward-facing slopes - especially below ridgelines and in exposed cross-loaded gullies. These new slabs formed above a variety of old snow surfaces, but are likely to remain reactive where they rest above a dense, hard crust. Cracking within the snow and shooting cracks extending outward from your skis or machine are signs of unstable snow. A smooth, rounded snow surface is an indicator of where deeper drifts exists and a potentially larger avalanche if triggered.

    (3/5/2025)

    A fresh Wind Slab avalanche (red box) on a northeast-facing slope on Jeru Peak. This slide likely ran early this morning or overnight during a period of heavy snowfall and elevated winds. The new snow sits on a firm crust from last weekend's warm temperatures. Selkirk Mountains. March 5, 2025.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Cooler, below-freezing temperatures, earlier this week, have refrozen a previously weak and saturated snowpack. Rain and heavy snow from late February have formed a strong rain crust, helping to stabilize the January Drought Layer (JDL) below. While the snowpack is improving, and triggering an avalanche in the persistent slab is unlikely, the problem isn't entirely gone. In shallow, rocky terrain or upper elevations where the rain crust is thinner, triggering the lingering weak JDL grains is still possible. Since these weak layers are now buried 2-3 feet deep, they are harder to affect on skis, but a heavier snowmobile has a greater chance of breaking through and triggering a large avalanche.

    (3/6/2025)

    Hiding near the treeline is an old crown. This avalanche failed in a thinner part of the snowapack, near a thin rocky cliff band.

    Photo: Izzy Davis

Avalanche Discussion

Warm weather continues during the day this weekend, but temperatures have been droping below freezing at night creating a supportable crust layer on the surface of the snow.  As the snowpack adjusts to these changes, so does the avalanche hazard. While cooling temperatures are helping to stabilize the snowpack, the persistent slab problem still lingers. A thick rain crust from late February is becoming increasingly frozen and harder to break through, burying the weak January Drought Layer (JDL) 2-3 feet deep. Even though triggering an avalanche on the JDL is unlikely, in shallower areas, weak grains remain closer to the surface and could still be triggered, especially near rocky outcrops or wind-scoured slopes. Before committing to large, steep terrain, take time to assess how the snowpack is bonding. Observing surface changes based on aspect and elevation as you move through the mountains will help identify safer zones for skiing and riding.

As temperatures rise throughout the day, be mindful of changing conditions on sunny slopes. Warming increases avalanche danger, especially on sun-exposed terrain. By managing the aspects you travel on or below, you can often mitigate the risk. East- and south-facing slopes warm up first, while west-facing slopes heat later in the day. North-facing slopes, however, typically remain shaded this time of year and do not experience the same daily freeze-thaw cycle as other aspects.

**Your observations help us build the next forecast. Share what you see with us and your local backcountry community**

Regions covered