Bollettino valanghe

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Thu
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

You're most likely to trigger a large avalanche on steep slopes facing the northern two-thirds of the compass. Watch for and avoid fresh, stiff wind drifts, and anticipate sluffing in very steep terrain. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2–2.5

    Slabs that formed in early February rest above a variety of ugly, widespread, weak layers (facets, surface hoar, crusts, and combinations). Yesterday, a large persistent slab avalanche was triggered on a NW facing slope on Patterson Pk above Hailey. Observers and professionals around the Wood River Valley continue to report frequent collapsing or whumpfing. These are clear signs that triggering one of these slides remains a real possibility. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways and break much wider than expected. You are most likely to trigger a dense, 2-4 foot thick avalanche where:

    • The slab is less than about 2' thick—this is the case on many slopes surrounding the Wood River Valley. Relatively shallower spots may exist where the wind frequently blows.
    • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
    • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass
    • A smaller wind slab or loose snow avalanche overloads the buried weak layers

    (2/18/2025) A skier on Patterson Pk near Hailey triggered this large avalanche. After several turns on the slope, the slide broke above and around them. Thankfully, the skier was able to ski ahead and to the side of the slab. NW @ 8,050'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Wind slabs may have formed immediately beneath exposed upper elevation ridgelines and on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Soldier Mountain Cat ski triggered three wind slabs yesterday during avalanche mitigation work. Recently formed slabs could rest above weak crust/facet combinations on southerly aspects or small sugary facets on more north-facing slopes. They can be up to 2 feet thick and break wider than expected. 

    (2/18/2025) Soldier Mountain Cat Ski triggered these wind slabs during avalanche mitigation work. Photo: Soldier Mountain Cat Ski

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday, a skier on Patterson Pk near Hailey triggered a large persistent slab avalanche. The slide broke above and around them after several turns on the slope. Thankfully, the skier was able to ski ahead and to the side of the slab. We've observed multiple avalanches in thin snowpacks around the Wood River Valley since the first week of February:

  • February 6th: Natural avalanches on Patterson Pk (info)
  • February 9th: Skier triggered slide in Lake Creek (info, video)
  • February 16th-17th: Avalanches on Sun Mountain (info 1, info 2)
  • February 18th: Skier triggered slide on Patterson Pk (info)

These slides occurred on shadier NW-NE-E aspects where the slab was around 2' thick. Persistent slab problems can take a long time to heal. These slides and reports of collapsing in shallow snowpacks clearly indicate that triggering one of these slides remains a concern. Remember that tracks on a slope do not mean it's safe. Avalanches could be triggered after multiple people have skied the slope. 

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