Avalanche forecast

Banner Summit

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Watch for and avoid fresh wind drifts and slabs. Expect them to be larger and more common as you climb in elevation. Today's warm sun will cause loose avalanches and may rapidly consolidate storm snow into a triggerable slab. You can reduce your risk by seeking out slopes that face away from the sun, where the snow surface remains soft and dry. 

We will issue our last daily Avalanche Forecast of the season this Sunday, April 5th. We will issue General Avalanche Information updates through late April or early May. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    This week's storms built sensitive drifts and slabs at upper elevations. Shifting wind directions mean slabs may be found on a variety of aspects, and some may extend down into windier middle elevation terrain.  

    Look for this problem near and just below exposed ridgelines and along cross-loaded mid-slope gullies. Recent cornice growth, pillows, and dunes are all clues that wind was at work moving snow.  Cracking in the snow surface is a sure indication that you've found a sensitive slab. You can reduce your odds of triggering a wind slab by sticking to more wind-sheltered slopes with soft powder at the surface. 

    Additional Discussion - Storm Slabs: Today's warm sun will rapidly consolidate yesterday's dry powder into a heavier and potentially sensitive slab. Yesterday, skiers near Galena Summit triggered this thin soft slab. A short window of sunshine likely played a role in transforming this low-density snow into a triggerable slab.

    (4/2/2026) Small soft slabs and cornice were triggerable along this wind-loaded ridge line in the mountains near Smiley Ck. 

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

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

    Clear skies and warm sun will cause natural wet loose avalanches. Expect avalanche activity to begin on E and SE facing slopes and follow the sun through the southern sky, ending on W and NW facing slopes this afternoon. Although many of these will start small, they have the potential to become large and destructive if they gouge into a wet snowpack.

    Wet loose avalanches often initiate near the base of trees, rocks, and cliffs. Although slow-moving, these avalanches are surprisingly powerful and difficult to escape. Large relief or channeled terrain can increase the size and consequence of being caught. Roller balls or small sluffs are clues that the snow surface is heating up, and wet loose slides may follow. 

    Additional Discussion - Dry Loose: If you're seeking out shadier, cold, wind-protected slopes, be prepared to manage dry loose avalanches or "sluffs". These can pack a punch in big, confined terrain. The biggest concern here is getting knocked off your feet and carried where you don't want to go.

    (3/22/2026) Wet loose avalanches in the central Sawtooths. 

Avalanche Discussion

Today will be a day of rapid change for the snowpack. On slopes that face the sun, snow will begin cold and dry and end warm and wet. Yesterday, an observer near Banner Summit noted that the 2 feet of low-density powder turned to "concrete" after only 30 minutes of sun. 

With a bluebird day and light wind on tap, expect conditions to change quickly as the sun warms the snow surface. Today is a great day to start and end early. You'll find the best skiing, riding, and stability this morning on colder, wind-protected slopes that face away from the sun. 

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