Rapid changes in weather, snowpack and temperatures have regional experts watching local hillsides closely as avalanche danger remains at considerable to high levels. 

Over the weekend, the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center issued a backcountry avalanche watch for the Bitterroot Mountains and the Silver Valley above 4,000 feet, warning that dangerous conditions could develop as a warm, moisture‑laden storm moved in Sunday night. The watch continued into Monday, and IPAC’s danger monitor indicated elevated risk could persist into today. 

Nine backcountry skiers were killed by an avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada last week.

Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area Marketing Director Matt Sawyer said Lookout does not have any in‑bounds terrain affected by the watch. 

“Fortunately, Lookout Pass does not have any inbounds terrain that is susceptible to avalanche,” Sawyer said. “Yes, there is terrain outside our ski area border, both in Montana and Idaho, on the National Forest, that is steep enough that it could and occasionally does avalanche. But those areas are outside of our ski area boundary and not within our permit area. So, for us, it’s not something we have to deploy resources to mitigate.” 

At Silver Mountain, IPAC’s warning applies only to uncontrolled backcountry terrain, not groomed and patrolled runs that receive daily mitigation. 

Most of the resort’s trails stay low‑risk due to grooming and avalanche‑control work. Steeper, ungroomed expert zones on Wardner Peak, which feature more than a dozen natural chutes and bowls, open only after hazards are cleared and may remain closed during or after major storms. 

"Silver Mountain Ski Patrol mitigates avalanche risk through multiple means, including run closures, explosives and ski cutting," Silver Mountain Marketing Manager Gus Colburn said. "The process for any given day is determined by our snow safety team and executed by ski patrol. Factors such as precipitation rate, intensity and duration, along with temperatures and wind, are all factored into the operational plan. Conditions found in the backcountry are not necessarily representative of what is found within resort boundaries due to continuous mitigation and skier traffic."

During an avalanche watch, forecasters monitor precipitation, temperatures and snowpack stability. IPAC reports that recent snowfall may overload fragile layers buried within the snowpack. 

Dense new snow combined with warming temperatures could trigger widespread snowslides and avalanches on slopes between 30 and 50 degrees, according to the Avalanche Center. The danger level was set to high, the second-highest on the five‑point scale. 

While many snowslides release naturally, forecasters remain concerned about ungroomed trails and popular backcountry areas.

For anyone traveling in the region during an avalanche watch, safety officials urge caution. Backcountry users should carry essential avalanche equipment, including a beacon, shovel and probe. 

Experts also recommend traveling one at a time across exposed areas, watching partners closely and maintaining wide spacing to reduce risk. 

IPAC continues to urge the public to avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain.

Updated conditions are at idahopanhandleavalanche.org and avalanche.org.