Avalanche forecast

Banner Summit

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

The snowpack is generally stable and triggering an avalanche is unlikely. Watch for rocky, wind-swept slopes with variable snowpack depths—these are the areas where you could find trouble. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    Triggering a large, dense slab avalanche would require a bit of bad luck. Avalanches are easier to trigger in thin spots at the edges of slabs and wind-features. Watch for these proverbial land mines on the northern half of the compass, where the wind frequently blows, and the snowpack depth is variable. Many shady slopes in rocky alpine cirques fit that description. Some visual clues to identify suspect slopes:

    • Stiff or textured surfaces and wind-pillows, evidence the wind has moved snow  
    • Rocks sticking out of the snow, either near or well below ridgelines
    • Terrain where some part of the slope is at least 35 degrees in steepness

    If you do trigger an avalanche, you probably won't observe obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking beforehand. Any triggered avalanches have the potential to break above you. 

    (1/7/2025) This is the type of terrain we're talking about when we say "rocky, wind-swept slopes with variable snowpack depths." Note how the avalanche crown "connects the dots" between exposed and buried rocks.

    Washington basin - White Clouds Mtns - NW, 9,600-10,200'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Generally stable conditions exist in this zone, and avalanches are unlikely. It has been three weeks since the last confirmed large avalanche in this zone, and significantly fewer avalanches were reported during the post-Christmas and New Year storm cycles.  

If you were to find trouble it would most likely be in shallow areas with a stiff upper snowpack in frequently wind-swept areas. The Banner zone has less terrain capable of matching that description. However, it is not totally out of the question that this problem may exist in isolated areas of this zone. 

You can stack the odds in your favor by skiing or riding steep slopes one at a time and traveling with a knowledgeable partner carrying the appropriate rescue gear. 

Regions covered