Avalanche forecast

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger a 1-3 foot thick slab avalanche on very steep, wind-affected slopes. These slides are most likely at upper elevations where recent strong wind formed stiff drifts. To reduce your risk, steer clear of obviously wind-loaded terrain where the snow surface is hard.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    It’s been several days since the last noteworthy snowfall in this zone, but who needs snow when you have wind? Extreme wind events on Monday, Wednesday night, and  Thursday “repurposed” snow from windward slopes and deposited it into thick, hard, wind slabs. In many areas, these 1-3 foot thick slabs sit atop weak, sugary facets in the lower portions of the snowpack.

    Triggering a slide on one of these weak layers is unlikely. However, if you were on a mission to find one, here's where I would look: exposed, wind-loaded terrain steeper than about 35 degrees, including cross-loaded gullies lower on slopes.

    If the snow surface is hard or you see cracks shooting out from your skis or sled, it's time to pay attention. Picture where an avalanche could carry you before committing to skiing or riding exposed avalanche terrain—the consequences of a triggering a powerful persistent slab should not be taken lightly.

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSIONIf you’re traveling along the northern boundary of this zone including areas near Dollarhide Summit and Skeleton Creek, refer to the wind slab discussion here.

Avalanche Discussion

There are two avalanche problems to contend with today: freshly forming wind slabs at the snow surface and persistent slabs that have the potential to break on weak layers in the lower half of the snowpack. 

We’ve topped a foot of new snow in areas around Banner Summit, the Sawtooths, the White Clouds and the western Smokys. The hazard posed by new snow and wind is relatively straight-forward. Fresh drifts will be sensitive to your weight, and if you venture into windier upper elevation terrain, the snow stinging your face will be a good reminder to keep wind slabs at the top of your mind. 

Less obvious are the hazards that lurk below. The weight of new-fallen and wind-blown snow will stress weak layers deeper in the snowpack. Over the weekend and earlier this week, these layers proved they weren’t quite ready to go away quietly. Persistent slab avalanches were observed in the White Clouds, the Boulders, and the Pioneer Mountains. Similar avalanches are possible again today, particularly in areas where storm snow overloads a shallow weak snowpack.

Regions covered