Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Natural and human-triggered avalanches large enough to bury people are near certain to occur. Stay off of and out from below steep slopes, especially where the wind has formed drifts. 

Conditions are much more dangerous in the western half of this zone —from roughly Dollarhide Summit and west into the Soldier Mtns and the South Fk of the Boise River drainage. For conditions in the Wood River Valley Mtns, refer to the Forecast Discussion. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Avoid all wind-loaded avalanche terrain. Expect to trigger 1-3 ft thick slabs where the wind drifted snow. Natural avalanches are possible. Both the size and likelihood of avalanches will increase as you move up in elevation and as today's storm progresses. You may find wind slabs in middle elevation terrain that is typically sheltered from the wind.

    Many of the wind slabs overlie well-developed weak layers, resulting in avalanches that could break easily, wider than expected, or above you. 

    If the snow surface becomes stiffer, you've found a wind slab. Cracks shooting out from your skis or boards are an obvious sign of instability. Watch for ripples, dunes, and fresh cornices, signs the wind has been at work. 

    Wind Slab avalanches could "step down", triggering the much larger Persistent Slab avalanches described below. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Large, destructive avalanches over 3 feet thick are likely in wind-loaded terrain and possible in sheltered areas. Snowfall and wind-driven snow is overloading weak faceted snow near the ground. The likelihood of triggering one of these slides will increase throughout the day as the storm progresses.

    Avalanches could be triggered remotely, from gentler terrain below, above, or to the sides of steep slopes.  Persistent Slab avalanches can break wider and higher on slopes (above you!) than you might expect.

Avalanche Discussion

Stay out of the way until the proverbial dust, or powder clouds, settle. The combination of 1-2 feet of snowfall and strong winds is too much for our weak snowpack to handle. Avalanches could release near the old snow surface or near the ground; in either case, the slides will be large enough to bury people.    

If you decide to head into the mountains today, recognize that avalanches can release naturally or be triggered from flat terrain a long distance from the slope. Enjoy the fresh snow and great skiing and riding conditions, but be careful about the slopes you choose to ski or ride as well as what's above you. 

Differences within this zone: This forecast describes conditions where they are most dangerous —from roughly Dollarhide Summit to the Soldier Mtns and the South Fk of the Boise River drainage. The Wood River Valley Mountains (WRV) received much less new snow. While avalanches are still possible in the mountains near Ketchum, Hailey, Bellevue, and Carey, avalanches are less likely and will be smaller than in the western part of this zone.

Regions covered