https://www.facebook.com/720685687958678/

Salmon-Challis Avalanche, Challis, ID (2026)

02/12/2026

Human triggered avalanches are possible in specific steep and wind loaded areas tomorrow through the weekend. Look for small to large wind slabs up to 2ft+ deep in recently windloaded terrain especially NE-SE aspects near ridgelines and loose dry avalanches in steep sheltered terrain. Expect larger and more dangerous avalanches above treeline. Storm totals from earlier this week look to be in the 4-8" range for most of the higher terrain in the S-C region.

Yesterday, we intentionally triggered a soft small wind slab 45cm deep at 9000’ on an east facing slope below ridgeline. We also saw a small natural Loose Dry avalanche on a steep northern aspect around 8500’. There was 10cm new snow around 8000’ and a snow depth of 55cm at 7700’. Soft surface snow was found on shaded aspects above 8000’. Southern aspects were developing variable crusts.

Weather should be mild the next couple days. Saturday the pattern changes a bit in favor of moisture but still mild temperatures until Tuesday when temperatures cool and moisture amounts increase. Tuesday onward into next week looks promising for continued precipitation. Please share what you are seeing out there and tag .

01/28/2026

A weak storm system moving east across the Rocky Mountains will bring increasing cloud cover and scattered light snow showers to the region. While little accumulation is expected, this system serves as a reminder of the snowpack hazards that develop during prolonged periods of high pressure.

Aside from the isolated 1-2” that fell around Jan 25, the last widespread, significant snowfall occurred around Jan 9. Since then, the region has experienced a prolonged period of high pressure that has brought extended clear skies, large swings in temperature, and a strong valley inversion. While these conditions have promoted snowpack strengthening and have resulted in generally stable conditions, they have also fostered the development of surface hoar, near-surface facets, and crusts. With any significant new snowfall, we should expect avalanche danger to increase quickly.

Surface hoar has been observed on shady North to East aspects that are protected from the wind, with larger surface hoar growth observed at elevations below 7,200’ and smaller growth observed above. Near-surface faceting has also created weak snow on cold, shady aspects even in places where surface hoar may not be present. Additionally, clear skies and solar radiation have promoted the development of crusts on sunny West and South aspects at all elevations.

As you travel in the backcountry, take time to dig into the snowpack and identify these weak layers. Pay attention to where crusts are present and note their thickness and strength. When looking for surface hoar, look for thin grey lines preserved in the snowpack. On shady aspects, soft, sugary snow that feels hollow and loud when skied is an indicator of near-surface faceting. Your observations are valuable—please share what you find!

Below is a picture from yesterday, Jan 27, on a N-facing aspect at 7,000’ in an area protected by wind. This is an example of large surface hoar grains that were buried by the recent 1-2” of low density snow that fell this past week and have been preserved and are sitting on top of weak, sugary near-surface facets.

01/13/2026

☀ High pressure is reigning supreme over the foreseeable future. With temps warming and strong solar input, wet loose and wet slab avalanches along with lingering wind slabs at the upper elevations will be the primary concerns during this lull in active weather. Warm temperatures will make it easier to trigger deeper, persistent weak layers in the snowpack. Shaded aspects will provide the best riding quality .

We found surface hoar at low and mid elevation locations on our tour yesterday and depending how warm things get these may or may not be an issue when the next storm comes in but something to track during this period of high pressure.

Warming surfaces will also form crusts of various thickness when refrozen during the cold nights. These could become future sliding surfaces for avalanches.

Be aware that bluebird conditions can push riders into more consequential terrain because the nice weather provides a false sense of safety. Be vigilant about monitoring your exposure to potential hazards above and below you while you are traveling in the mountains this week. Let us know what you are seeing out there!

01/08/2026

Traveled into the Eastern Boulder Mountains yesterday on an exploratory tour. Snowpack is thin in lower elevations but was surprisingly supportable. Found a 30cm snowpack around 7000’ and about 60cm at 8000’. We saw no obvious signs of instability where we traveled and skied a short slope in sheltered terrain with soft surface snow.

Nice weather and good views of the Whiteclouds.

Notable recent wind loading from the West

01/06/2026

Toured into the Southern Salmon River Mountains yesterday and found a decent snowpack above 7500'. While we didn't observe any signs of instability during our tour, our test results indicated a propagating ~2ft slab sitting on weak snow below the most recent December crust. We stuck to gentle slopes and avoided wind loaded areas.

There was also a deeper layer of weak snow about 130cm down near the ground but was below the effective range of the ECT.
Our observations were limited to the 6500-8000' elevation band.

Temperatures hovered around freezing for most of the day and solar aspects and lower elevations had moist snow surfaces and crusts could form in those areas if temperatures stay cold. Riding conditions were good overall and this area picked up about 8" of new snow.

Bottom line: We have a 2ft deep persistent slab problem in the mid to upper elevations that requires mindful route-finding and assessment. Although we didn't observe them, reactive wind slabs are also likely to be found at upper elevations on wind loaded terrain. The persistent slab may not provide you obvious warning signs (collapses, cracks, recent avalanches) and will require digging to assess if it exists in your location.

Stay clear of wind loaded slopes at upper elevations and steep and/or rocky areas where the snowpack is more variable in depth. Be aware of what terrain is above (avalanche start zone?) and below (terrain trap?) you while traveling. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Ride safe and let us know what you are seeing out there.

11/27/2025

Today, we’re grateful for avalanche professionals - the educators, researchers, forecasters, ski patrollers, guides, first responders and backcountry partners who work tirelessly to keep our mountain communities informed and safe.

From early-season training to daily forecasting, from mitigation to education and outreach — your dedication strengthens avalanche safety nationwide.

Thank you for the expertise, passion, and care you bring to our mountain communities every day.

🦃❄️ Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

📸:

11/27/2025

Join us this upcoming Tuesday at The HUB of Salmon to discuss Avalanche gear and safety and ways to contribute observations to the community. Stay tuned for more education events this winter.

03/15/2025

New snow and wind = avalanches! Large natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. A moist storm system is moving through the area mountains today through tomorrow. The upper elevations could see up to a foot or more of new snow accompanied by strong W-SW winds. Be alert for wind slabs on wind loaded terrain features and cross loaded slopes especially near and above treeline. Look for changes in the snow surface from soft to stiff where the wind has formed a dense slab and avoid those slopes.

02/23/2025

Avalanche danger will increase today and stay elevated through Tuesday afternoon. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Fresh wind slabs, wet avalanches, persistent slab and cornice fall problems could all be on the menu. Small wind slabs and loose wet avalanches have the potential to step down to more deeply buried weak layers and create large avalanches. A warm atmospheric river event will bring rain on snow to our lower and middle elevations with snow levels rising to around 8000'. Strong southwesterly winds accompany this system and snow totals could be around 8-16" in the upper elevations over the next couple days. Higher amounts are expected in the Northern Beaverheads and Northern Lemhis. Keep a wide margin of safety between you and potential slide paths. Small avalanches can kill you if you're in the wrong terrain or trigger larger, more consequential avalanches. Avalanches may happen on lower angle slopes than you would normally expect, especially in areas with a shallower snowpack.

02/12/2025

Be extra careful where the snowpack is shallow and/or thin. When touring yesterday in the Eastern Boulder mountains we noticed a recent persistent slab avalanche at 8000' on an eastern aspect. The snowpack was shallow ~90cm where we dug a pit on a similar aspect and elevation to the observed avalanche. Propagating test results and red flag observations of thunderous whumps told us to stay out from under and off slopes steeper than 30 degrees. In areas where the snowpack is deeper stability appears to be gradually improving but the structure is still poor and the classic low probability / high consequence persistent avalanche problem persists.

02/04/2025

Danger is probably peaking this afternoon with warm temps + more snow and strong winds. Cold front enters tomorrow cooling temps and lingering snow showers. New snow has fallen on a very weak snowpack and dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Provide wide and wise terrain margins and be aware that you can remotely trigger an avalanche from gentle terrain and think about what the consequences could be in your location. Now is also a great time to refresh and practice your rescue skills.

02/01/2025

⚠️ 🚨 Avalanche Warning has been issued for neighboring mountains 🚨 ⚠️ Updated forecast for next several days has increased the amount of snow and temperatures for this storm. If you are getting out please stick to low angle slopes well away from larger, steeper avalanche terrain ⚠️. Please stay safe and let us know what you are seeing out there.

Salmon-Challis Avalanche

02/12/2026

01/28/2026

01/13/2026

01/08/2026

01/06/2026

11/27/2025

11/27/2025

03/15/2025

02/23/2025

02/12/2025

02/04/2025

02/01/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The School

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request