Flathead Avalanche News Today

Avalanche danger generally rises when storms deliver significant snowfall to the mountains. The problems are manifold: Fresh powder can take a few days to bond to older snow it accumulates on, leading to storm-slab avalanches; light, unconsolidated dry powder can slough down steep slopes; and the weight of new snow can overload weak layers lower in the snowpack, leading to large avalanches of both new and old snow.

Avalanche danger generally rises when storms deliver significant snowfall to the mountains. The problems are manifold: Fresh powder can take a few days to bond to older snow it accumulates on, leading to storm-slab avalanches; light, unconsolidated dry powder can slough down steep slopes; and the weight of new snow can overload weak layers lower in the snowpack, leading to large avalanches of both new and old snow.

Avalanche danger generally rises when storms deliver significant snowfall to the mountains. The problems are manifold: Fresh powder can take a few days to bond to older snow it accumulates on, leading to storm-slab avalanches; light, unconsolidated dry powder can slough down steep slopes; and the weight of new snow can overload weak layers lower in the snowpack, leading to large avalanches of both new and old snow.

"This weak layer looks deceptively benign — small, obviously rounding facets that are only a half step softer than the slab above and that didnt propagate in our tests. I even commented to that effect prior to the slide. It is anything but benign."

A skier was air-lifted from backcountry terrain near Essex on Saturday after they were seriously injured in a large avalanche set off by their partner from the slopes above.

"This weak layer looks deceptively benign — small, obviously rounding facets that are only a half step softer than the slab above and that didnt propagate in our tests. I even commented to that effect prior to the slide. It is anything but benign."

"This weak layer looks deceptively benign — small, obviously rounding facets that are only a half step softer than the slab above and that didnt propagate in our tests. I even commented to that effect prior to the slide. It is anything but benign."

An answer crackled back over the radio: The large avalanche had crashed down the slope the lower party just skied, but they were out of the way. It was a close call, but everyone in both parties was accounted for and safe. Ski patrol called off the potentially dangerous and resource-intensive rescue. It wouldnt have happened like that a year before.

An answer crackled back over the radio: The large avalanche had crashed down the slope the lower party just skied, but they were out of the way. It was a close call, but everyone in both parties was accounted for and safe. Ski patrol called off the potentially dangerous and resource-intensive rescue. It wouldnt have happened like that a year before.

Avalanche danger remained elevated in western Montana Friday in places that received the most new snow, such as around Seeley Lake and the Swan Range. And in south-central Montana, an avalanche warning was in effect in the southern Madison and Gallatin mountains, and around West Yellowstone and Idahos Centennial Range.