Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth 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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches are unlikely, and most slopes are safe.  Be on the lookout for areas where hard wind-drifts overlie weak, sugary snow. 

Avalanche Discussion

The Soldier & Wood River Valley zone has received less than 10 inches of snowfall over the past month. As a result, there is no clearly defined avalanche problem and the snowpack is generally stable. The last significant avalanche occurred on February 6th when ski patrollers at Bald Mountain intentionally triggered a wind-loaded slope with weak, sugary, faceted snow in the lower part of the snowpack (see Media section). Triggering an avalanche would require finding a slope that harbors both weak faceted snow and a hard, wind-drifted slab—so continue to watch for hard wind slabs that feel hollow or "drummy". The Dollarhide Summit area has fared a little better than the Soldiers and Wood River Valley, and the snowpack there is more similar to the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone. 

CONTINUE TO USE NORMAL CAUTIONAs the saying goes, Low danger doesn't mean no danger. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry. What does normal caution mean?

  • Make a solid plan before a day in the backcountry. A plan helps you anticipate hazards (of which avalanches are only one), identify options for the day, and ensure everyone is prepared for an emergency.
  • Perform a trailhead gear check. A proper beacon check ensures everyone's transceiver can send and receive a signal. Is everyone's radio working and on the right channel? Airbags armed and ready?
  • Maintain situational awareness. Don't let your guard down even when the snowpack is generally stable. If you see a wind-loaded slope or another indicator of potential instability, don't assume it's safe just because the danger is Low. Identify and avoid other hazards such as large cornices.
  • Continue to use safe travel practices. It's easy to get sloppy with your travel practices during periods of stability. Continue to minimize your group's exposure to potential avalanche hazard, ideally traveling one at a time through steep terrain.

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