Salt Lake
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
The avalanche danger is LOW, and conditions are generally safe. Do not just see the all-green danger rose and take it as permission to turn your brain off.
Cold temperatures have turned old snow into firm, unforgiving crusts. A slip in steep terrain right now could have severe consequences. Evaluate your route carefully and anticipate potential areas where you may encounter firm, consequential slopes. Carry and know how to use crampons and an ice axe to safely travel and arrest a fall.
Special Announcement
Human Factor Research: Researchers Ian McCammon and Sara Boilen are developing new tools for managing human factors for backcountry skiers and boarders. This survey asks about personal experiences with human factors and will take 7-8 minutes to complete. Link is HERE.
Recent Activity
No new avalanches were reported in the backcountry. Please let us know what you are seeing as we continue to publish observations.
Snow and Weather
Yesterday's 2 to 4 inches of graupel and cold snow improved riding conditions, especially on low-angle slopes with a smooth, old snow surface below. Cold temperatures and increasing cloud cover kept the snow dry on upper elevation north-facing slopes. On all other aspects, the snow warmed and became wet and sticky. Winds were light, blowing out of the WNW at 5-10 mph with gusts into the 20s.
Overnight, skies were mostly clear, and temperatures cooled into the upper 20s °F above 8,000 feet. Winds shifted, blowing from the N at 10-20 mph with gusts approaching 30 mph.
Today, expect partly cloudy skies with the potential for light snow showers late in the day. Temperatures remain cool relative to what we've seen lately, with daytime highs in the 40s °F. Winds blow from the WNW and remain light to moderate at 10-20 mph.
Additional Info
We have published February 2026: Four Avalanche Fatalities in Five Days: a community review with most of the UAC Salt Lake office. This 38-minute video is worth sitting down and digesting. A huge thanks to UAC Education Manager & Forecaster McKinley Talty for his hard work putting this together behind the scenes.
General Announcements
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.