Bollettino valanghe

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

You could trigger 2-3' thick avalanches failing on weak sugary snow, failing below this week's storm snow. The likelihood of triggering and the size of potential avalanches will both increase as you climb in elevation and/or move to shadier slopes. You may be able to trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    2

    You're most likely to trigger avalanches on NW-N-NE-E above roughly 7000' where 1' to 2.5' of recent storm and wind-driven snow buried weak layers (facets, surface hoar, crust+facets). On slopes that face SE-S-SW above 8000', it's less likely, but not impossible, to trigger avalanches failing on crusts or crust+facet combinations. 

    On slopes where this week's snow fell on dirt or sagebrush, triggering large avalanches is unlikely. Your exposure to the hazard can quickly change as you climb in elevation or move to shadier slopes where buried old, weak snow exists. Be aware of changing conditions as you enter areas with a deeper snowpack. Shooting cracks and snowpack collapsing are signs of an unstable snowpack.

    These avalanches could be triggered remotely, from below, or from the sides of steep slopes. To reduce the likelihood of triggering large avalanches, consider choosing lower-angle slopes that are not connected to steeper terrain. 

    (2/20/2026)

    This test pit shows the current snowpack structure. The new snow (slab) is resting on sugary snow (weak layer) on many shaded middle and upper-elevation slopes.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday, a skier narrowly skied out of a large avalanche near Banner Summit. Two others remotely triggered avalanches near Banner Summit and up Baker Creek (observation). Our current situation is ripe for accidents. A long drought during January and early February left powder seekers eager. During that period, weak layers developed throughout our area. A significant storm finally arrived earlier this week, enhancing the riding conditions but burying those weak layers. In response to the new snow and wind, we experienced an avalanche cycle. Now, a few days have passed, and the likelihood of avalanches has gradually decreased. Obvious signs of instability are becoming less reliable, which may give you a false sense of security while traveling through terrain. The first sign of instability could be an avalanche you trigger. 

The snowpack hates rapid change, and well, today, it's changing. We’re heading into the warmest day since receiving about 2' of new snow earlier this week. As the weather warms, the dry surface snow may turn into denser slabs in shaded terrain. On slopes receiving sun (many SW-S-SE slopes in this zone do not have a deep enough snowpack to have a true wet-loose problem), the sun and warm temperatures could cause the upper snow to weaken, and we could see loose snow avalanches running on steep slopes in middle elevations. Either could be enough to trigger larger avalanches, failing on weak layers deeper in the snowpack. 

Many people, myself included, are keen to make deep trenches in the snow. Remember, this will not be the last weekend to ride powder. As we head out to enjoy the snow, we'll be managing our terrain selection by choosing lower-angle slopes without overhead hazards. 

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