Avalanche forecast

Elkhorns

Wallowa Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist in the Elkhorns, especially at Anthony Lakes.  Confidence is lower elsewhere in the range due to lack of observations.  If you see shooting cracks, stiff harder surfaces or wind-blown snow, choose low angle terrain.  

Avalanche danger has been rated Low, below treeline, due to a lack of snow.  

This forecast is sponsored by La Grande Sno-Drifters snowmobile club.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Recent southerly winds of the past few days have been strong enough to transport snow into slabs.  Seek low angle terrain if you see shooting cracks or the snow feels suddenly stiff or supportive under your equipment. 

    However, warm temps both near and above freezing have limited the likelihood and the size windslabs.  Liquid moisture acts as a glue, as we've all seen warm snow be more likely to stick to surfaces.  This warmth also allows windslabs from earlier in the week to heal.  

     

    (12/24/2025)

    At 8100' NE, scouring from blustery winds.

    Photo: Tom Whipple

Avalanche Discussion

Though we wished for Polar Expresses of delightful snow,

We instead received Pineapple Expresses all in a row.  

The Atmospheric Rivers turned on their taps,

Sadly with rain to the peaks of the Eagle Caps.  

Yet as our Cascadian neighbors know,

Throughout the season, 

This water helps our overall stability grow.  

 

Rain and above-freezing temps can spike the avalanche danger in the short term, especially on dry snow, but over the course of days and now weeks, it generally improves stability.  There is no rapid change, and for the weekend, a cooling trend.  This is good for base building for the rest of the season.

 

Merry Christmas, to those who celebrate it.  

 

 New resources for 2025/2026

  • Blog post on gear and brain prep for the season: The Shakedown
  • Avy App. It can save the forecast for offline use and store field observations that upload automatically when back in service. 

Avalanche Courses:  The WAC provides avalanche education specifically for both backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.  Check out all of our courses here.  

  • Motorized Companion Rescue Jan. 16 Catherine Creek
  • Motorized Level 1 Course Jan 17-18 Catherine Creek
  • Motorized Level 2 Course Jan 24-25 Halfway
  • Motorized Level 1 Refresher Feb 7 Catherine Creek
  • Women's Only Snowmobile Clinic Feb 28-March 1 Catherine Creek

Observations: 

 Submit an observation here.  Let's paint this picture together.   An observation can be just that- a picture.  It doesn't have to use any technical wording or snow nerd acronyms.  Just explain where you went and what you saw.   Submitting observations through the Avy App has made it incredibly easy to help paint the picture for forecasters and recreational users.  

Regions covered