Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Watch for dense, hard wind slabs that formed during the strong winds this zone has experienced this past week. Continue to follow your basic safe travel protocols, even during periods of LOW danger. Generally stable conditions exist, and large avalanches are unlikely. 

Yesterday's storm brought just a few flakes of new snow to this zone. This won't significantly change the conditions you'll find today, but there are always things to keep in mind when you're traveling in the mountains:

WIND SLABS:  Moderate to strong winds have been blowing in the mountains this week. These winds have built a few generations of dense, stiff wind slabs. In most areas, these have had time to bond to the snow they are sitting on. However, in places where they are resting on well-developed weak layers, they may still be reactive to your weight. Look for them near features that slow the wind down and force it to deposit the snow it is carrying. Cracks shooting out from your board or your skis are clear signs that you've found a sensitive slab. You'll find better skiing and riding and safer conditions by avoiding these dense slabs.

While large avalanches are unlikely today, even small slides can ruin your day (or worse). Be mindful of the consequences of being caught in a small avalanche in the terrain that you are traveling through. Think about the objects you might be dragged through/over (rocks, cliff bands, trees, etc.) and where you might be deposited (terrain traps, creek beds, etc.). We encourage you to continue to use your safe travel protocols, even during periods of LOW danger; only expose one person to avalanche hazard at a time, keep a close eye on your partners, and carry your rescue gear and know how to use it. Now is a great time to practice using these skills.

Be sure to catch up on what happened this past week in Scott's latest Weekend Update.