Avalanche forecast

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche is possible in wind-affected terrain above 7,000 feet—look for evidence of wind such as drifts, stiffened surfaces, or cornices. In these areas, you could trigger a relatively small wind drift up to a foot deep, or a large avalanche that breaks on 2-3+ feet within the snowpack. Choose terrain carefully, as safer conditions can be found on wind-sheltered slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    It would take a dose of bad luck, but triggering a large persistent slab avalanche remains possible. A layer of surface hoar (plus or minus a crust, depending on your aspect and elevation) is buried about 2-3' deep. This layer, buried on 2/14, is slightly shallower around West Mountain (1.5-2'). It isn't easy to know how thick the snowpack is on a given slope, so consider your terrain choices carefully. Persistent slab avalanche activity has been reported on mostly N-NE-E facing slopes, above 7,000 feet, particularly in wind-loaded terrain. Obvious signs of instability, such as collapsing or cracking, may or may not be present—you may not receive any warning that a slope is unstable before a large avalanche occurs, even after multiple tracks on a slope. 

    The best way to reduce your risk of triggering a persistent slab is by avoiding slopes steeper than ~35°, especially those that are of rocky, wind-affected, alpine nature. Pay attention to what's below you—look for trees, rocks, gullies, and other terrain traps—and travel one at a time in avalanche terrain.

     

     

    (2/26/2026)

    Riders remote triggered this D2.5 avalanche near frog lake north of McCall on Thursday Feb 26th.

    Photo: Payette Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds have ranged from SW-NW, building shallow slabs in upper-elevation terrain. Cold, NW winds (as in the past few days) are often inconsistent and erratic, directed by the terrain, and loading patterns may change from one drainage to the next.  Be on the lookout for wind-affected snow on the surface that is stiff or drifted. Harder, well-connected, drifted snow deeper than 6" is a red flag. A small avalanche that breaks in the newest snowfall could trigger a larger one that fails deeper in the snowpack. 

Avalanche Discussion

Spatial variability is the name of the current game.  When discussing avalanches, their spatial variability means that stability can vary significantly within a small region due to subtle changes in aspect, elevation, slope angle, and snow depth. This describes the current avalanche problem nicely. In some locations, such as on sunny aspects, recent snowfall has bonded well to the old snow surface. In other spots, namely shady/wind-affected terrain, the snowpack takes longer to adjust. This currently holds true for both surface instabilities, such as wind slabs, and deeper instabilities, such as persistent slabs. Variability in stability means that it is important to make your own assessment of the snowpack before committing to steep terrain. Continued vigilance and conservative terrain choices are recommended over the next few days. It has been about 7 days since the last reported persistent slab avalanche. Digging down to the 2/14 interface can be helpful, but also noting the terrain characteristics where you are riding is important. Red flags include:  

  • Windy. Is there evidence of wind loading? Does the terrain seem exposed to wind?
  • Steep. Is the terrain above 35 deg? Does it roll over into a terrain trap?
  • Shaded & Above 7,000'. Nearly all of the recent avalanches have occurred on the northern half of the compass, slopes facing W-N-E, above 7,000'. 

Hedge your decisions in data, take several minutes to pause, regroup your thoughts, check in with your partners, and look at the snowpack beneath your boards or sled.

 

 

Regions covered