Avalanche forecast

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Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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 likely on slopes where wind has formed drifts and slabs. In terrain sheltered from the wind, triggering large avalanches is less likely but still possible. 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 a fresh crop of weak facets, surface hoar, crust-facet combinations, or crusts 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 much wider than expected and be triggered remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

    Avoiding all 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.

    (2/10/2026) Slab avalanches near Elizabeth Lake in the Northern Sawtooths. NE @ 8,800'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Whether a weak layer exists or not, the combination of up to 12 inches of snowfall and moderate to strong winds in the last 72 hours makes human-triggered avalanches likely in terrain kissed by the wind. These slides can trigger or "step down" to Persistent Slab avalanches (described above) as they move downslope.

    Be on the lookout for wind-affected surfaces, feel for stiff hollow slabs overlying weaker or softer snow, and be aware of shooting cracks from your skis or machine as indicators to move to more sheltered terrain with softer snow. The current crop of wind slabs may present as relatively soft—so keep diligent in identifying subtle surface textures or density differences under your machine or boards. Steep, wind-loaded slopes should remain off limits today, regardless of what elevation band you are in. Avoid playing in locations with overhead hazards—areas below steep, windy slopes that lack dense, live tree stands.

Avalanche Discussion

The recent storms have improved riding and sliding conditions dramatically, but don't let the soft snow distract you from the lingering weak layers buried beneath. Observations across the forecast area continue to show obvious signs of instability focused on either the recent storm interface (Feb 16 facets and surface hoar) or the more deeply buried weak snow (January drought facets), primarily with a touch of wind-affected snow on top. The areas with the greatest uncertainty are around the middle/upper elevation transition, and this is where we'd proceed with cautious route finding and a conservative mindset. If you choose to get out and enjoy the abundant recent snow today, keep your head on a swivel and keep terrain choices mellow to steer clear of trouble.

Additionally, we'd like to acknowledge that our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims and the survivors of Tuesday's Castle Peak avalanche accident near Truckee, CA. A preliminary accident report is available here.

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