Avalanche forecast

Banner Summit

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Both the size and chance of triggering avalanches increase as you climb into windy terrain. Avoid steep slopes with stiff, wind-drifted snow at the surface.  Where you find soft, fluffy snow, triggering a large avalanche is much less likely but not impossible.

Continued snowfall and wind will cause the danger to rise. Be careful if you're out playing late in the day. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it?  Recent wind and snowfall formed slabs and drifts up to 2 feet thick in upper and some middle elevation locations, and they will continue to grow today. Some slabs overlie crusts and/or thin layers of weak, faceted snow; the wind slabs could be easy to trigger and break wider than expected on some slopes. 

    How can we recognize and manage this problem? Fortunately, the fresh wind slabs are fairly easy to spot and avoid. Watch for smooth pillows below ridgelines and cornices as well as on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Dunes and ripples on the surface are clues the wind has been at work transporting snow. If you feel the snow surface getting stiffer, it's time to pay attention. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are an obvious sign that you've found a wind slab. Hard wind slabs sound hollow, like a drum, and behave unpredictably; they can break above you and wider than expected. 

    Additional Discussion - Loose Snow "sluffs": Around two feet of snow has fallen recently, and more is on the way. Natural and human-triggered "sluffs" will become possible as the fresh snow piles up. Many of these slides will not be big enough to bury people, but they could knock you over and carry you where you don't want to go. Additionally, they could trigger larger slab avalanches lower on aprons and in cirques.

    (1/2/2026) A wind slab avalanche triggered while stomping from low angle terrain above. 9500' NE facing slope near Butterfield.

Avalanche Discussion

This zone has received 2-3 inches of water (about 2-3 feet of snow) since New Year's Day. Yesterday, local professionals intentionally triggered relatively small wind slab avalanches near Copper Mtn. Models predict another 0.5-1.0" of water (7-15" of snow) by tomorrow morning, and W-SW winds should build to moderate to strong speeds. Wind slabs will grow and become more widespread this afternoon and evening. 

Expect conditions to deteriorate today and tonight; the slopes you safely traveled on or under this morning could become sketchy. If you're out playing late in the day, plan a safe option to get back to the trailhead in the event tonight's heavier snowfall and stronger wind arrive eariler than forecast.  

Regions covered