Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Triggering a small wind slab will be possible at and above treeline today. New snow and building winds primarily out of the Southwest will add to this problem throughout the day. Avoid terrain directly below ridgetops on steep slopes greater than 35 degrees. You'll find the best riding in wind protected treed areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Fresh snow and strong winds throughout the day will create new wind slabs primarily at upper elevations, above treeline and directly below ridgelines. Older small wind slabs formed from last week and might be hard to identify as this new snow builds and covers them. Though these older wind slabs may be stubborn, they likely exist on all apects of the compass due to shifting winds and blowing snow from last weeks storm. This problem can be avoided all together by avoiding steep slopes above 35 degrees at and above treeline. Find the safest and best riding in protected treed areas 

    (2/27/2023)

    Cornices, wind etching and pillows are good sign of new wind load

    Photo: J Thompson

  • Loose Dry

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

    New, light density snow fell Sunday-Monday delivering a much needed refresh across the zone. As snow continues throughout the day, look for signs of "sluffing" of new snow in very steep areas and below rock features. Though these avalanches tend to be quite small and relatively harmless to humans, this can become an issue when there is consequential terrain that you could be swept into. Avoid traveling below cliff bands and around gullies to steer clear of this problem. 

    (2/28/2023)

    Small point release (Loose dry) avalanches- Steven's peak

    4300' / E face

    Photo: J Thompson

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The snowpack is becoming a little more complex. There are multiple crust and faceted layers throughout the snowpack. We're keeping a close eye on these layers, but so far they're resistant to failure and are lying dormant. Persistent weak layers can come alive quickly when a new load of snow  adds weight to the snowpack. This can happen either through windload, rain or new snow from a storm. A storm is forecasted to show up today, which could add weight to the snowpack. 

    Buried surface hoar about 120 cm below the snow surface

    Photo: J Thompson

Avalanche Discussion

What a great day in the mountains yesterday! Thank you, Lookout Pass Ski Area, for supporting IPAC and allowing us to use your lifts to access the backcountry, to collect data. The skiing was quite good inbounds yesterday.  Even though the new Eagle Peak expansion allows for easy access to the backcountry, it needs to be taken seriously. After leaving the ski area, you quickly end up in complex avalanche terrain, where experience and good decision making are critical.

Izzy Davis and I skied up the ridge in between St. Regis Basin and the E fork of Willow Creek. We were happy to see 6-8’’of new snow and sunny skies! We could feel the old wind slabs under foot but, the new snow made it hard to identify exactly where the avalanche problem areas were. After digging a data pit on the W facing side of the ridge, we decided to descend the E side, into St Regis Basin. This route took quite a bit of conversation due to the potential avalanche problem. The slopes on that side of the ridge are mostly in the 35–38-degree range. We had to get creative to find a slope we were willing to ski, but also wiggle out some good turns! We ended up skiing a partially treed slope, on a 30-degree pitch, and then traversed around some other steep slopes lower on the face. It turned out to be some of the best skiing I’ve done in weeks! I hope you get a chance to enjoy some of the new snow, just keep your brain tuned into where you are, and where you’re heading. It’s not too hard to find good safe skiing and snowmobiling right now, but it does take some careful trip planning and attention to conditions.

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