Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Sawtooth Avalanche Center
www.sawtoothavalanche.com
Author: Everett Coba
Issued: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:19 AM MDT
Expires: Monday, April 6, 2026 at 4:00 AM MDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineRefer to the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns forecast if you're traveling in the western half of this zone—including the Warm Springs Ck drainage—or in the mountains north or east of Ketchum.
Avalanche Danger
Sunday, April 5, 2026
(⇡8500') 0 - No Rating
(6500-8500')0 - No Rating
(⇣6500')0 - No Rating
Monday, April 6, 2026
(⇡8500') 0 - No Rating
(6500-8500')0 - No Rating
(⇣6500')0 - No Rating
Insufficient data for issuing of danger ratings, but a summary of avalanche conditions exists. Read the summary for more information.
Elevation Band DescriptionsAvalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
 1 - Low |  2 - Moderate |  3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Forecast Discussion
A snowpack exists on many slopes above about 7500' near the Coyote and Tornak huts; in the Warm Springs Ck drainage, including the out-of-bounds terrain on Bald Mountain; in the mountains north and east of Ketchum; and in the Soldier Mountains. If you are traveling in these areas, refer to the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns forecast.
At lower elevations and on most slopes facing the southern half of the compass, it does not look or feel like winter in this zone. Access and travel are challenging at best in many standard recreational play areas due to thin or non-existent snow cover, and mountain bikes far outnumber snowmobiles and skis in the backcountry in this zone. Plan for a real adventure if you choose to explore these mountains on skis or snowmobiles.
Today is our last daily Avalanche Forecast of the season. We will issue General Avalanche Information updates through late April or early May. Thanks for the great season, everyone.
Mountain Weather
Author: Everett Coba
Issued: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 5:13 AM MDT
Yesterday was a beautiful day in the mountains. Skies were clear, and winds were light. Temperatures reached the mid-40s F.
Last night, thin bands of high clouds moved across our region, creating partly cloudy skies. Temperatures cooled to the mid-20s to low-30s F, and winds stayed light.
Today looks like a warm one. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid-40s F. Skies should be partly cloudy, with increasing coverage to overcast before sunset. Southerly wind stays light.
Tonight, temperatures cool into the high-20s to low-30s F. Skies should stay overcast. Light southerly wind persists.
Tomorrow we’ll see more warm temperatures with partly cloudy skies. The mountains should reach the mid-40s F, and winds should be light.
We will issue Mountain Weather forecasts with our General Avalanche Information products, beginning tomorrow morning.
| Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns | Last Night (5PM - 5AM) | Today (5AM - 5PM) | Tonight (5PM - 5AM) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 30 to 35 F | 40 to 50 F | 30 to 35 F | |
| Cloud Cover | Partly Cloudy | Partly Cloudy | Mostly Cloudy | |
| Ridgeline Wind Speedⓘ | Light | Light | Light | |
| Wind Direction | NW | S | S | |
| Snowfallⓘ | 12hr: 0 " | 24hr: 0 " | 0 " | 0 " |
| Snow Water Equivalentⓘ | 12hr: 0 " | 24hr: 0 " | 0 " | 0 " |
This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions.
It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.