Payette Avalanche Center
  • Forecasts
    • Latest Forecast
    • Forecast Archive
    • How to Use the Forecast
    • Forecast Email Signup
  • Observations
    • View Observations
    • Submit Observation
    • Photos & Videos
    • Tips for Submitting Observations
  • Weather
    • Weather Tools
  • Education
    • Local Avalanche Education Providers
    • Upcoming Events
    • All Classes & Events
    • Idaho Education Calendar
    • Basic Avalanche Tutorial
    • Know Before You Go
    • Glossary of Avalanche Terms
  • About
    • Friends of the PAC
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Friends of the PAC
    • About The Friends
    • Mission
    • Why Donate?
    • What’s New
    • Events
    • Who We Are
    • Sponsors
  • Donate

Photos & Video

  • 2023-24 Season
  • 2022-23 Season
  • 2021-22 Season
  • 2020-21 Season
  • 2019-20 Season
  • All Media Types
  • Photos
  • Video
Reset Filters
Showing 191 media items
Our last update, we would like to thank you for supporting the PAC, we couldn’t do it without you, our sponsors, observations you submit, our Friends of the PAC, our support staff, and our trusty volunteers that watch our back and help us in the field and at events…Thank all of you!
Apr 8, 2022
Apr 6, 2022: Wind slab avalanche observed after Monday's recent storm
Apr 6, 2022
This video was submitted by a member of the public. This snowmobile-triggered avalanche occurred either Tuesday or Wednesday (April 5 or 6). This looks to have been initiated as a wind slab avalanche just below the very large cornice on the ridge. You can see the scoured snow surfaces and old inverted tracks from the wind and an obvious change to the wind-loaded slopes above where the avalanche was triggered. You can notice the avalanche
Apr 6, 2022
8-10 inches of new snow came in Monday with impressive, strong winds gusting almost to 50 mph out of the South/Southwest. Some areas have had all of the new snow stripped off down to the crust and thus other areas are potentially 16-20 inches deep. Approach slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees with caution today...Watch for sensitive wind slabs in leeward terrain. The new snow will likely move in the form of loose dry sluffs on steeper slopes, especially solar aspects where the snow is sitting on a slicker crust.
Apr 4, 2022
Snowpit talk from Friday (04/01) just west of Secesh summit. The PAC discusses yesterday's wet snow problem as well as upcoming new snow in the forecast.
Apr 1, 2022
Mar 30, 2022: Wet loose slides observed NW of Box Lake
Mar 30, 2022
Mar 30, 2022: Observing saturation within the upper snowpack
Mar 30, 2022
Mar 30, 2022: Wet loose slides observed on SE through NE aspects
Mar 30, 2022
Mar 30, 2022: Small, wet loose slide off Beaverdam Peak
Mar 30, 2022
Mar 30, 2022: Small, wet loose point release
Mar 30, 2022
Spring snowpack…a lack of freezing temperatures over the last 6 days is really taking a toll on the snowpack. Above 3/1 rain crust the snowpack is not frozen and wet…Freezing temps just returned but are going to need multiple nights to freeze the wet upper snowpack. Wet loose Avalanche potential will rise in the afternoon with added solar gain…avoid steep slopes…especially in the afternoon on E, SE,S,SW, and West aspects.
Mar 28, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Wet loose slide on E/SE aspect above 8000'
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Snowpit on N/NW aspect at 8000'
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Melt-freeze crusts observed on north-facing terrain
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Snowpit on E/SE aspect at 8000'
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Wet loose slide on E aspect above Burnside Lake
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Glide cracks forming on NE face of Beaverdam peak
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Wet loose debris covering Lick creek road
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 26, 2022: Wet loose slides on E aspect
Mar 26, 2022
Mar 21, 2022: Sargents pit
Mar 21, 2022
Mar 21, 2022: Compression test results, failed on facets in old February snow
Mar 21, 2022
Mar 21, 2022: Compression test results with failures within recent storm snow, 03/01 weak layer, and old February snow
Mar 21, 2022
Mar 21, 2022: Compression test results, side view
Mar 21, 2022
Mar 21, 2022: Extended column results with propagation on facets within old February snow
Mar 21, 2022
Mar 19, 2022: Wet loose avalanche observed Saturday, March 19, likely occurred the previous day. West aspect, start zone looks like 6600'.
Mar 19, 2022
Mar 19, 2022: Storm rolling in around 4 PM Saturday, March 19
Mar 19, 2022
Mar 19, 2022: Compression test results from Saturday, March 19
Mar 19, 2022
Mar 19, 2022: Snowpit 03/19
Mar 19, 2022
Saturday 03/19, snowpit talk
Mar 19, 2022
Mar 18, 2022: Small spines formed from the wind...some slabby snow was encountered near ridgelines under SW gusts, but no cracking or other red flags were observed.
Mar 18, 2022
Mar 18, 2022: Poor structure for a March snowpack. The upper snowpack is failing in compression here, but the extended column did not propagate like most of our test pits this past week...
Mar 18, 2022
Mar 18, 2022: 6700', North aspect near Deep Lake that was getting warm and producing small, loose-wet avalanches in steep terrain
Mar 18, 2022
Weak layers are developing and have been buried by this week’s storm. Extended Column propagation on the 3/1 crust.
Mar 17, 2022
Mar 14, 2022: Evidence of wind direction
Mar 14, 2022
Mar 14, 2022: Evidence of wind-drifted snow
Mar 14, 2022
Mar 14, 2022: Remotely triggered avalanche near Lone Tree
Mar 14, 2022
Mar 14, 2022: Debris from a remotely triggered avalanche near Lone Tree
Mar 14, 2022
Mar 14, 2022: Avalanche propagated around this terrain feature
Mar 14, 2022
Mar 14, 2022: View from below
Mar 14, 2022
Mar 14, 2022: Remotely triggered avalanche near Lone Tree, crown was 10
Mar 14, 2022
North of granite mountain we had moderate compression test results and no propagation in an extended column…low Avalanche Danger remains with Dust on Crust to at best 8-10” on 3/1 rain crust, and poor facet crust combinations in the upper snowpack that may fail with future snow load…temperatures are warming
Mar 11, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Rain runnels around 7000'
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Winds transporting snow at ridgetops
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Debris from avalanche cycle last week
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Debris from avalanche cycle last week
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Debris from avalanche cycle last week
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Debris from avalanche cycle last week
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Debris from avalanche cycle last week
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: ECTP 28
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: ECTP 28
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 7, 2022: Sawtooth pit
Mar 7, 2022
Mar 5, 2022: Cathedral Rock
Mar 5, 2022
Mar 5, 2022: Skiers Right of the Gunsight
Mar 5, 2022
Mar 5, 2022: Lower bowl
Mar 5, 2022
Mar 5, 2022: Sawtooth Slidepath #3
Mar 5, 2022
Mar 5, 2022: Sawtooth Slidepath #2
Mar 5, 2022
Mar 5, 2022: Sawtooth #1 slide path
Mar 5, 2022
North and East winds along with 3-5 inches of new snow created Wind slabs on the rain crust that were cracking in front of skis.
Mar 4, 2022
The last day of February we had a considerable warm up with strong winds and a few inches of snow that have been building up over the last 24 hours… this has ramped up the avalanche danger to Considerable…Storms Slabs in Winds Slabs will be growing as the warmer temps and snow continue… We’ve also had reports of instabilities in the lake Creek Canyon from Payette Powder guides and users submitting reports of skier triggered wind slabs in the upper foot of the new snow which is much denser than the light dry cold snow we had below it.
Feb 28, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: ECTP25 on buried surface hoar 55 cm below the surface
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: Southwest winds filling in skin track after about an hour of moderate winds moving snow
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: Moderate southwest winds transporting snow at ridgetops
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: Dry loose snow moving on steep north aspects
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: Evidence of north winds, this gully faces north and this drift of snow is from north winds stripping snow from the gully and moving it further on the ridgetop
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: Wind-affected snow on north-facing slopes
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: Propagation saw test results: PST 45/100 Arr on buried surface hoar (5-6 mm) 55 cm down
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 26, 2022: Fisher Creek Saddle snowpit
Feb 26, 2022
Snowpit talk from Saturday 02/26/22
Feb 26, 2022
Feb 19, 2022:
Feb 19, 2022
Feb 19, 2022: Point release debris on west aspects
Feb 19, 2022
Feb 19, 2022: Debris from south-facing loose snow
Feb 19, 2022
Feb 19, 2022: South-facing point release
Feb 19, 2022
Feb 19, 2022: Snowpit 02/19/22
Feb 19, 2022
Feb 19, 2022
Feb 14, 2022: Storm approaching
Feb 14, 2022
Valentine’s Day Conditions and snowpack update: frontal south winds gusting into the 20 mph range, moderate snowfall in the afternoon, facet weak layer under thin crust likely will fail with more snow on top
Feb 14, 2022
Feb 12, 2022: Evidence of wet loose debris on shaded E/NE facing terrain. This likely occurred between Wednesday and Thursday (9-10).
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 12, 2022: Evidence of wet loose debris on shaded E/NE facing terrain. This likely occurred between Wednesday and Thursday (9-10).
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 12, 2022: Melt-freeze crust did not soften by 1400 on East facing terrain at 8000'
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 12, 2022: Snowmobile Highmark right into wet loose debris
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 12, 2022: Firm snow surfaces on multiple aspects
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 12, 2022: Melt-freeze crust with facets above and below crust
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 12, 2022: Wet slides off Slickrock in Lick Creek canyon. Likely occurred Wednesday or Thursday (9-10)
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 11, 2022: The sheen from the sun crust on the snow suface were visible from miles
Feb 11, 2022
Feb 11, 2022: Size 1 minus wet loose avalanches from the rocks on the North Aspect of South Bruin
Feb 11, 2022
Feb 11, 2022: Size 2 point releases on North Bruin at 7,800 FT
Feb 11, 2022
Feb 10, 2022: Crust at 6800’ on a north aspect.
Feb 10, 2022
Feb 10, 2022: Pin rolls off of a ridge at 7700’ on a due north aspect. Evidence of warm temperatures from Wednesday Feb 9.
Feb 10, 2022
Feb 10, 2022:
Feb 10, 2022
Feb 7, 2022: Snowslide Pit A
Feb 7, 2022
Feb 7, 2022: Pinwheels and rollerballs observed Monday South-facing rocks
Feb 7, 2022
Feb 4, 2022:
Feb 4, 2022
Feb 4, 2022: Friday 2/4/22 Near Surface facets that failed hard under compression and lacked propigation in an extended column test 35cm down on West Mtn
Feb 4, 2022
Feb 4, 2022: Graupel that fell at the start of the last storm
Feb 4, 2022
Feb 4, 2022: West Mtn on Friday 2/4/22 Just below the snow surface denser snow that formed a shallow slab on top of graupel
Feb 4, 2022
Jan 31, 2022: West aspect sled cut near Rapid lake
Jan 31, 2022
Jan 31, 2022:
Jan 31, 2022
Jan 31, 2022: Fresh cornice lips on North Face of Green Mountain
Jan 31, 2022
Jan 31, 2022: Wind slab, old snow/new snow interface
Jan 31, 2022
Good reset for good stability, loose dry upper foot will move on steep slopes
Jan 31, 2022
Touchy wind slab on NE aspect above 7500'
Jan 31, 2022
Jan 28, 2022:
Jan 28, 2022
Good stability near Grass Mtn Lakes, good soft snow in wind sheltered areas, surface Hoar buried under latest 4 inches, preserved in mid and lower elevations…Gusty winds out of the South around 20 mph.
Jan 28, 2022
Jan 24, 2022: Snowing heavily 3 PM Monday (01/25)
Jan 24, 2022
Jan 24, 2022: Snowpit from Fisher Creek saddle
Jan 24, 2022
Jan 24, 2022: The calm before the storm rolled in, photo taken around 1230 PM
Jan 24, 2022
Storm rolling in around 3PM on Monday (01/24/22). Moderate north winds blowing and drifting snow.
Jan 24, 2022
Jan 22, 2022: Evidence of very shallow wind slabs observed after recent storm. North winds scoured snow on north-facing terrain
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 22, 2022: Large cornices heading up to Squaw Point
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 22, 2022: Obvious Sun crust visible in pit wall
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 22, 2022: 3-4 cm thick solar crust on E aspects
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 22, 2022: Shallow wind slabs on ridgetops
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 22, 2022: Large crack on the ridgetop where a cornice is peeling off
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 22, 2022: Wind-scoured snow made for some interested textured features
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 22, 2022:
Jan 22, 2022
North winds were light on ridgetops, but gusts were still able to move snow on S/SE facing terrain features
Jan 22, 2022
Jan 14, 2022: Looking North on Sgt's Ridge at the evidence on the cornice of South West winds etching the snow (called sastrugi) from bottom left to the upper right.
Jan 14, 2022
Jan 14, 2022: Looking South
Jan 14, 2022
Jan 14, 2022: Good stability on a Soft Supportable but denser Upside down layer of snow that formed under recent variable, brief North winds underneath this beautiful snow. Hard skiing could dive tips into the denser 6-inch slabby layer.
Jan 14, 2022
Jan 14, 2022: N aspect of Sgts, North of Brundage Mtn at 76000 FT still harboring surface hoar in this wind and sun protected pocket...something that may lead to future problems
Jan 14, 2022
Jan 14, 2022: Mitt pit: Just below the softer surface 2 inches of snow, it is dense for 6-8 inches. It was hard with my pole to saw through this 6-8 inch layer that formed on the North of Sgt's during variable brief winds out of the Northwest. 
Jan 14, 2022
Jan 14, 2022: Still cold, preserved good soft snow in areas that were protected from the wind and sun
Jan 14, 2022
Wind effected snow surface in upper elevation exposed terrain, good stability, old debris
Jan 12, 2022
PAC on Granite Mountain: Cold South winds and clouds keeping the snow cool and interesting, wind effected surface on West aspect, Shallow fresh wind slabs, East was smooth and not wind effected…use good travel protocols and caution on Eastern and Northern upper elevation terrain that has signs of wind loading…
Jan 10, 2022
Jan 8, 2022:
Jan 8, 2022
Jan 8, 2022: Looking down the debris from close to the crown
Jan 8, 2022
Jan 8, 2022:
Jan 8, 2022
Jan 7, 2022: New 5 inches of snow covering a heavier slab of snow from Thursday failing 10 inches deep before fully isolating the block
Jan 7, 2022
Jan 7, 2022:
Jan 7, 2022
Jan 7, 2022: East aspect of Granite on Friday...Thick snow for medium to hard trailbreaking
Jan 7, 2022
Jan 7, 2022:
Jan 7, 2022
North of Brundage Mountain ski resort Granite Mountain…heavier snow came down early this week on top of lighter density cold snow creating Storms Slabs that have been failing naturally and before isolation in mit pits and strong south winds creating conditions that make visibility and travel difficult.
Jan 7, 2022
Jan 5, 2022: Photo credit: Tood Leeds
Jan 5, 2022
Jan 3, 2022: Gusty, Strong winds sending plumes of snow off peaks to the North
Jan 3, 2022
Jan 3, 2022: Approaching Storm Monday Afternoon
Jan 3, 2022
Jan 3, 2022:
Jan 3, 2022
Jan 3, 2022: Fresh wind slabs sensitive to weight of skier. PC: Brian Peters
Jan 3, 2022
Jan 3, 2022: Cornice development on north aspects PC: Brian Peters
Jan 3, 2022
Jan 3, 2022: Fresh wind slab on a west aspect. PC: Brian Peters
Jan 3, 2022
Dec 30, 2021: Large wind drifts
Dec 30, 2021
Dec 30, 2021: Cornices on east-facing terrain
Dec 30, 2021
Dec 30, 2021: Small sensitive wind slabs on se aspects PC; Brian Peters
Dec 30, 2021
Dec 30, 2021: Small isolated collapsing near shrubs and logs PC; Brian Peters
Dec 30, 2021
Dec 29, 2021: ECTN on a hand column. PC: Todd Leeds
Dec 29, 2021
Dec 29, 2021: 2nd view into Six-Bit PC: Todd Leeds
Dec 29, 2021
Dec 29, 2021: North facing into Six-Bit Creek, ran about 150 vertical feet. PC: Todd Leeds
Dec 29, 2021
Dec 29, 2021: There has been a few downed trees this week, looks like this one triggered a small slab. PC: Todd Leeds
Dec 29, 2021
Dec 27, 2021: Granite weather station on Monday afternoon 12/27 with 180 cm, or 70.8 inches of total snow, 5 degrees F
Dec 27, 2021
Dec 27, 2021:
Dec 27, 2021
Extended column strong results, no propagation
Dec 27, 2021
Top of Tamarack heading North out of the boundary gate winds were strong blowing mostly out of the South…Patrol reported around 70 mph at the top of the mountain which shut down summit chair around 2pm. Control work explosives results were limited to the upper 6-9” of newer snow…we skied Skiers right of Wildwood bowl and were able to get some shooting cracks coming off skis while ski cutting the wind loaded North aspect.
Dec 24, 2021
Dec 23, 2021:
Dec 23, 2021
Dec 23, 2021:
Dec 23, 2021
Dec 23, 2021: Settlement cones stuck on trees
Dec 23, 2021
Near Secesh Summit on Diamond Ridge…gusty South Winds
Dec 22, 2021
Fisher Creek Saddle ECTN and PST 45/130 Arrest
Dec 20, 2021
Propagation Saw Test on December 12th interface 45/100
Dec 19, 2021
Ect on a shallow South aspect at 8,000 feet
Dec 19, 2021
Dec 16, 2021:
Dec 16, 2021
Dec 16, 2021:
Dec 16, 2021
Dec 16, 2021:
Dec 16, 2021
Dec 15, 2021: Wind features on north facing terrain from north winds at the end of the storm cycle that ushered in the cold air. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 15, 2021
Dec 15, 2021: ECT, cracked on 24 taps but no propagation PC: Brian Peters
Dec 15, 2021
Dec 15, 2021: Snowpit. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 15, 2021
Dec 15, 2021: Just to the right of the red line looks to have been an crown from Saturday night that has been reshaped by the north winds. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 15, 2021
Dec 15, 2021: Signs of settlement with the snowpack. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 15, 2021
Dec 13, 2021: Skinning up from Twin Lakes Trailhead
Dec 13, 2021
Dec 13, 2021: Test Pit
Dec 13, 2021
Dec 13, 2021: Test Pit observation wall
Dec 13, 2021
Dec 12, 2021: Graupel snow during afternoon warmup. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 12, 2021
Dec 12, 2021: Strong winds forming wind waves and such along the ridges. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 12, 2021
Dec 12, 2021: Snow pit photo with layers PC: Brian Peters
Dec 12, 2021
Dec 12, 2021: Cracking and settlement of new snow near rocks. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 12, 2021
Dec 9, 2021: Current conditions on north aspect of granite. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 9, 2021
Dec 9, 2021: Snowpit photo with layers. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 9, 2021
Dec 9, 2021: Concerning layer that weight of snowmobile might trigger. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 9, 2021
Dec 9, 2021: Sensitive newly formed wind slabs PC: Brian Peters
Dec 9, 2021
Dec 9, 2021: Old Avalanches from early December warmup. PC: Brian Peters
Dec 9, 2021
Quick look at the snow on the ground thus far. Very thin conditions with some facet crust combinations…We were able to skin up, but not enough snow to ski below 7,000 feet. Do your snow dances, and give it a couple feet.
Dec 7, 2021
Nov 25, 2021: Strong southern winds transporting loose snow into north aspects on top of granite mountain. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 25, 2021
Nov 25, 2021: Fresh wind slabs sensitive to weight of skier along the ridges at 7800’ PC: Brian Peters
Nov 25, 2021
Nov 25, 2021: Surface hoar development in a sheltered location at 7100’ PC: Brian Peters
Nov 25, 2021
Nov 21, 2021: Conditions of northern aspect of granite. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 21, 2021
Nov 21, 2021: Snow pit photo. 80 cms of AR snow, 30 cms from Veterans Day storm slab, crust and few cms of low density snow on top. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 21, 2021
Nov 21, 2021: Cornice debris from the 11/19 storm and warming. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 21, 2021
Nov 21, 2021: Wind affected snow along the ridges PC: Brian Peters
Nov 21, 2021
Nov 20, 2021: Sagebrush and thin conditions on southern aspects. A deeper snowpack with rocks in the shady aspects. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 20, 2021
Nov 20, 2021: Wind affected snow along the ridges. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 20, 2021
Nov 20, 2021: Surface hoar development on a northern aspect at 7700’ PC: Brian Peters
Nov 20, 2021
Nov 11, 2021: I was able to kick off some small cornices. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 11, 2021
Nov 11, 2021: 75 cms total. You can see the old snow/new snow interface at 40 cms. PC: Brian Peters
Nov 11, 2021

We Need Your Observations

Submit Observation

(208) 634-0409
Use the hashtag:
#payetteavy

Stay Updated

Get the daily avalanche forecast in your inbox

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

#payetteavy

Payette Avalanche Center

PO BOX 2177
MCCALL, IDAHO 83638
(208) 634-0409
[email protected]

All Content © 2017 – 2023 Payette Avalanche Center
Pro Login