Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Watch for and avoid fresh wind drifts—these will be thicker and easier to trigger as you climb in elevation or into wind-exposed terrain.  Triggering a large, wide avalanche is possible on steep slopes facing the northern half of the compass. When the sun comes out today, natural sun-induced loose snow avalanches are possible on very steep slopes, basking in unobscured sunlight. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Blustery winds today will form fresh, reactive drifts that a person could easily trigger. The likelihood of triggering one of these slides will increase when you find a thicker, stiffer slab of wind-drifted snow—most likely near ridgelines, alpine bowls, and gullies. The thickest and most reactive wind slabs will most likely form in the upper elevations; however, don't rule out finding this problem in wind-exposed terrain features along the middle elevation band. Watch for dunes, drifts, and snow pillows. Cracks shooting out in front of you are a clear sign you've found a wind slab. This zone harbors the most tree-sparse lower-elevation terrain; you may find pockets where you could trigger a wind slab avalanche, especially in cross-loaded, gullied terrain features. 

     

    (3/20/2025)

    Wind-textured slope near Castle Pk. Gullies like the ones in the photo could harbor a stiff slab of wind drifted snow that a skier or rider could trigger. 

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    It is possible to trigger 1-2.5 foot thick slabs above weak layers of facets or face+cust combinations. You are most likely to find trouble on steep middle and upper-elevation slopes facing the northern half of the compass. Signs of instability like snowpack cracking and collapsing (whumpfing) may not be obvious, and your first sign of instability could be triggering an avalanche. Avalanches could be triggered remotely, from lower-angle terrain above, below, or to the side of steep slopes. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways and break much wider than expected. 

    You can manage this problem by seeking lower-angled terrain free of terrain traps such as thick trees, gullies, and cliffs. 

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