Today's snow and wind may form fresh slabs of wind drifted snow. Snowpack cracking means you've found a sensitive slab. While unlikely, we can't rule out triggering a larger avalanche in typically windy areas with variable snow depths, especially around the Wood River Valley. Cornices are large and may be unstable—give them a wide berth.
You may find thin, freshly forming wind slabs near and below ridgelines and on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Today's snowfall and a steady moderate E and NE wind may move soft snow from shadier aspects onto slick crusts on sunnier slopes that face south and west. Cracks clearly indicate an unstable slab.
Slabs exist above layers of weak snow buried during February storms. Before triggering an avalanche, you're unlikely to experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking or collapsing. You are most likely to trigger a slide in the mountains around the Wood River Valley, and where:
(2/18/2025) A skier on Patterson Pk near Hailey triggered this large avalanche. After several turns on the slope, the slide broke above and around them. Thankfully, the skier was able to ski ahead and to the side of the slab. NW @ 8,050'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center
Today's storm will favor the Soldiers and the mountains east and south of Galena Summit. More important than snowfall is likely the steady moderate to strong wind which will easily trasport new and existing dry snow, redepositing it in fresh drifts that form over stiff and potentially slick crusts.
In more wind-sheltered terrain, anticipate the chance of triggering loose snow avalanches (sluffs) on north-facing slopes. Recent warm weather has caused cornices to sag, releasing onto the slopes below or opening cracks along ridgelines. Cornices are a real hazard this time of year and can break further back from the edge than you may think.
Remember that even small slides can have outsized consequences in extreme terrain. To stack the odds in your favor, give yourself multiple route options, ride and ski within your ability, and share the day with a skilled partner.
