Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Be on the lookout for sensitive drifts and slabs of wind-blown snow. These slabs will thicken as you climb in elevation. Cracking in the new snow is a clear sign of instability. While unlikely, we can't rule out triggering a much larger avalanche that breaks on weak layers deeper in the snowpack. These slides are most likely in very steep, rocky terrain with variable snowpack depths.

A vigorous spring storm ended yesterday, gracing the hills with up to 8" of snow at upper elevations. Snowfall was accompanied by moderate to strong S-SW-W wind. Both snow totals and the strength of the wind increased with elevation. The level of avalanche hazard you find today is, for the most part, directly tied to these two factors.

Spring storms can have highly localized effects. If you can find wind-sheltered areas with soft snow, you'll have a fantastic and generally safe day of skiing and riding. However, the picture changes quickly as you climb into areas exposed to the wind. There, you'll need to look for dunes, drifts, and cornices to help you identify slopes where wind slabs have formed. Stomping along small, wind-loaded rolls is a great way to get an idea of the size, extent, and sensitivity of the slabs you're dealing with (example). Cracks shooting in front of your skis or boards mean you've probably found a sensitive wind slab. 

While new snow avalanche problems should be at the front of your mind, we cannot overlook buried weak snow layers in the snowpack. Your odds of triggering a large Persistent Slab avalanche are low but not zero. These slides could fail on persistent weak layers, including crusts + facets on sunnier slopes and facets or surface hoar on shadier slopes. You can significantly reduce your risk by avoiding very steep, rocky, heavily wind-affected terrain on the N half of the compass. Here, the combination of stiff slabs and thin areas of the snowpack make avalanches easier to trigger. You probably won't experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking before triggering a slide. These avalanches can break well above you on the slope and be wider than expected. Avalanches triggered in shallow areas could involve much thicker slabs on the same slope.

There's some great skiing and riding to be had, but don't let the long spring days and the allure of big lines distract you from your goal: safely enjoying the mountains. Continue to use the thoughtful planning and safe travel protocols you've been practicing all season.