Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Zachary Miller
Issued: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:57 AM MDT
Expires: Friday, April 3, 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
Thursday, April 2, 2026
(⇡8500') 0 - No Rating
(6500-8500')0 - No Rating
(⇣6500')0 - No Rating
Friday, April 3, 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.
The refresh of snow with this early April storm may make access and coverage appear much better than it actually is in this zone. Be aware that much of the new snow is falling on bare ground and treat any skiing or riding in this zone with an early-season conditions mindset (plenty of hidden hazards).
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.
Mountain Weather
Author: Zachary Miller
Issued: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 5:47 AM MDT
Yesterday was mostly cloudy with intermittent snow and rain showers that accumulated a trace to 2 inches of new snow in the mountains. Temperatures climbed into the low to mid-30s F, and light S and SW winds blew at ridgetops. Rain lines lingered at ~8000 feet throughout the day.
Last night, widespread snowfall graced the area with a fresh 3-10+ inches of new snow falling by 4am this morning. Temperatures dropped into the mid to low 20s F, and moderate winds blew from the S and SW, with stronger winds blowing in areas south of Galena Summit. Rain lines dropped to ~5800’ overnight.
Today, expect the snowfall to continue with an additional 2-8 inches falling, favoring the Sawtooth Range and Western Smokys. Winds will remain strong from the W, and temperatures will continue to drop into the teens to low 20s F. Rainlines will be well below the valley floors in most locations.
Tonight, the faucet is forecast to shut off, with a trace to 1 inch of snow falling. NW flow aloft brings cold air with it that will drop temperatures into the low teens F. The winds will continue to blow moderately from the NW and gradually decrease to light strength starting in the northern ranges and working south tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow, skies will rapidly clear out, and temperatures will climb back into the mid-30s F by early afternoon. Winds will blow lightly from the NW, and there is no snowfall expected.
| Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns | Last Night (5PM - 5AM) | Today (5AM - 5PM) | Tonight (5PM - 5AM) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 25 to 30 F | 16 to 21 F | 15 to 20 F | |
| Cloud Cover | Overcast | Mostly Cloudy | Partly Cloudy | |
| Ridgeline Wind Speedⓘ | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Wind Direction | S | W | NW | |
| Snowfallⓘ | 12hr: 3 to 7 " | 24hr: 5 to 9 " | 1 to 4 " | 0 to trace " |
| Snow Water Equivalentⓘ | 12hr: 0.5 to 1.1 " | 24hr: 0.6 to 1.2 " | 0.1 to 0.3 " | 0 to 0.05 " |
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.