Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Ethan Davis
Issued: Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5:26 AM MDT
Expires: Saturday, April 4, 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
Friday, April 3, 2026
(⇡8500') 0 - No Rating
(6500-8500')0 - No Rating
(⇣6500')0 - No Rating
Saturday, April 4, 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: Ethan Davis
Issued: Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5:24 AM MDT
Yesterday's weather felt like mid-winter. It snowed for much of the day in the mountains around Banner Summit, the Sawtooths, and Smokys, including Galena Summit. Snow accumulations ranged from 6-12 inches in these areas and generally less than 6 inches elsewhere. Skies were mostly cloudy to overcast for much of the day before cloud cover decreased in the afternoon. Daytime high temperatures were in the upper teens to low 20s F. Winds blew light to moderate from the SW and W.
Last night, skies became mostly clear, and temperatures cooled into the upper teens F. Wind speeds eased to blow light from a variety of directions, which will primarily settle in on NW by daybreak.
Today is the first day of a gradual warming trend through Monday. Skies will be clear. Temperatures will climb into the low to mid 30s F. Winds will blow light from the NW.
| Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns | Last Night (5PM - 5AM) | Today (5AM - 5PM) | Tonight (5PM - 5AM) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 16 to 21 F | 32 to 37 F | 19 to 24 F | |
| Cloud Cover | Partly Cloudy | Clear | Clear | |
| Ridgeline Wind Speedⓘ | Moderate | Light | Light | |
| Wind Direction | NW | NW | NW | |
| Snowfallⓘ | 12hr: 0 " | 24hr: 1-6 " | 0 " | 0 " |
| Snow Water Equivalentⓘ | 12hr: 0 " | 24hr: 0.1-0.3 " | 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.