Avalanche forecast

Banner Summit

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and wind have formed reactive slabs at middle and upper elevations. Watch for and avoid fresh, stiff wind drifts to avoid triggering a large avalanche today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate winds coupled with 10+ inches of snowfall formed wind slabs up to 2 feet thick over the past 48 hours. Expect to find these slabs in open terrain, near ridgelines, in cross-loaded gullies, and on steep aprons below cliffs at middle and upper elevations.

    Cracks shooting out from your sled or boards are a clear sign you've found a slab and should dial back your terrain choices. Other evidence to look for is wind drifted "whales" or "dunes," wind loaded "lenses" or "pillows," and listen for hollow "drum-like" sounding surface snow. On some slopes, crusts and / or weak snow exist beneath the new snow, meaning that avalanches could be easy to trigger and may break wider than you expect.

     

    (2/24/2025) Large natural avalanche off Copper Mountain

    Photo: Ben VandenBos

Avalanche Discussion

New snow problems are the primary concern in the Banner zone. Wind loaded areas are the most likely locations to trigger a large avalanche. Reports from yesterday indicate a widespread storm slab avalanche cycle in the Banner zone that is expected to have tapered off with the cool overnight temperatures. Even small loose snow avalanches can have dire consequences in the wrong terrain, so be aware of where smaller slides may take you and avoid riding or skiing above and in terrain traps.

Regions covered