Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Expect mostly stable avalanche conditions. Large avalanches are not likely. You may be able to trigger small, dry snow avalanches in very steep upper elevation terrain. The chance of small, wet snow avalanches will increase this afternoon at lower elevations.

Large avalanches are unlikely today. That being said, there are a few possible hazards to keep in mind, especially if you're traveling in very steep or "extreme" terrain.

• Wind Slabs: SAC staff and other observers reported NW-N-NE winds moving snow over ridges at times yesterday in alpine terrain in the Pioneer and Boulder Mtns as well as near Banner Summit. The wind was building or forming isolated, thin wind slabs near ridgelines. The small, fresh slabs may lie above slick surfaces formed during our last extended warm and sunny spell, making them easy to trigger. On Sunday, a skier in the Soldier Mountains triggered a small wind slab that knocked them off their feet and carried them a distance downslope (photos and more details here). While we don't expect these slides to be large enough to bury people, they can take you places you don't want to be and injure you. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of recent wind-loading like snowpack cracking, dunes and ripples on the surface, smooth pillows of snow, and stiffer snow at the surface. 
• Dry Loose: The snowfall from recent storms has been "sluffing" in very steep terrain not affected by the wind. You're most likely to find this minor hazard on slopes approaching/over about 40 degrees where more than about 6" of snow fell Friday and Saturday.
• Wet Loose: With continued cool temperatures and increasing cloud cover forecasted today, wet avalanche problems will not be widespread. However, the snowpack below about 7500' is softening each afternoon and getting mushy in some places. Wet loose slides will be most likely on slopes approaching/over about 40 degrees where the snowpack is 1-3 feet thick. If you are sinking into a sloppy mess this afternoon, stick to less-steep terrain or move to areas with cooler, more supportable snowpacks.  

Folks have been having a blast riding and skiing serious, consequential avalanche paths the past few days. There's a time and a place for everything, and the time is now on many slopes—but not on all of them. Don't be afraid to back off that gnarly line or peak you're planning to bag if you see something you don't like; the terrain isn't going anywhere and will be waiting for you when you return.