Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago.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

It remains possible to trigger wind-loaded pockets of snow along exposed upper elevation ridgelines.  Avoid stiff, dune-like formations and slopes directly below corniced ridgelines.   Terrain that has been sheltered from the wind will hold better-quality riding.   

 This forecast is sponsored by Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Be on the lookout for pockets of stubborn windslabs along upper-elevation exposed terrain.   Avoid areas that have stiff-looking or hollow-sounding snow surfaces.   The picture to the right shows examples of wind-loaded snow that should be avoided.   Use small test slopes to test the sensitivity of representative slopes.  When in doubt, select less consequential terrain.   

    (1/10/2026)

    The two circles indicate pockets of wind loaded snow.  When you see these, avoid them.  It looks like there is a crown below them, but it is an animal track. 

    Photo: Caleb Merrill

Avalanche Discussion

Wind Slabs:

The wind slab problem should be straightforward to recognize and avoid along upper elevation ridgelines.  We have seen 6 large natural wind slab avalanches in the Northern and Southern Wallowas since last Tuesday.   We are now more than 72 hours after the initial wind loading event, and windslabs that formed during that event should decrease in sensitivity, especially with warming temperatures.   There is still snow available for wind transport, so monitor any new wind loading patterns and avoid terrain steeper than 30 degrees if you see active wind loading on those slopes.  

What's going on deeper in the snowpack?

While the avalanche danger may be moderate at mid and upper elevations,  there remains uncertainty about the distribution of weak faceted snow around several crusts in the snowpack  (12/18, 12/26, and 1/3).    Forecasters and observers continue to get mixed results in snowpack tests.  In areas where layers of facets or large graupel sit on a crust, extra caution is warranted.   Before committing to avalanche terrain, it's recommended to dig down in the snowpack to observe any weak snow around these crusts.  When higher degrees of uncertainty exist, always defer to less consequential terrain less than 30 degrees in steepness. 

Over the past 2 days, observers in the Elkhorns found propagating results in their snowpack tests- about 1.5' from the snow surface.  See recent observations here.    When in doubt of what's below your feet, dig down and investigate.  Let us know! 

What are you seeing in the snowpack? Please send us an observation!  Notable information includes the depth of any crusts and the hardness of the snow above and below these crusts, as well as the amounts of snow you encounter at various elevations.  

Snowmobile Riding Clinic for Snow Professionals Feb 26-27

If you are a snow professional who’s interested in building your snowmobile skills and technique, or are looking to advance to the next level, the Wallowa Avalanche Center is offering a 2-day clinic on February 26-27.  This clinic is open to Avalanche Forecasters, ski patrollers, ski guides, and other industry professionals.  Click here to learn more.  

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