Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely. If you were to find trouble, it would be in areas where the wind frequently blows with variable snow depths, especially in the mountains around the Wood River Valley. Avoid lingering under very steep, sun-drenched slopes and consider moving to cooler slopes if you find a wet, mushy snow surface. Cornices are large and may be unstable—give them a wide berth.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slabs exist above layers of weak snow buried during February storms. Before triggering an avalanche, you're unlikely to experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking or collapsing. You are most likely to trigger a slide in the mountains around the Wood River Valley, and where:

    • The snowpack is relatively shallow - where the wind frequently blows, spots may exist where the slab is not uniformly thick
    • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
    • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass

    (2/18/2025) A skier on Patterson Pk near Hailey triggered this large avalanche. After several turns on the slope, the slide broke above and around them. Thankfully, the skier was able to ski ahead and to the side of the slab. NW @ 8,050'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Triggering a large, thick avalanche is unlikely. It's been over a week since the last reported natural persistent slab avalanche and over two weeks since the last reported human-triggered slide. A poor snowpack structure is what has kept this problem on the list. Yesterday, near Swede Pk, Ethan found a generally shallow and weak snowpack on NW, N, NE, and E aspects. If you were to find trouble, it would be in the shallower, weaker eastern portion of this zone. 

Today's strong sun and warm temperatures may cause the snow surface to become wet and break down any surface crusts. Large, wet loose avalanches are unlikely, but small slides could still be triggered on very steep, sun-drenched slopes and could knock you off your feet and take you for a ride. You can hedge your bets by avoiding lingering under steep slopes that receive direct sunlight—especially later in the day. Consider moving to cooler slopes if you encounter a wet or mushy snow surface in steep terrain. 

Cornices are a real concern this time of year. Cornices have begun to sag and may be unstable. Build wide margins while traveling near cornices; they can break further back than you may think. 

 

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