BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL
Snow can be treacherous and tricky, and avalanches are a reality during the season. While there haven’t been any major snow crashes in our neck of the woods in last week’s snowpack, there were many warnings and one tragedy earlier this year. The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies have set up avalanche beacon check stations for those entering the backcountry with one at Baker Creek, in the parking space, and at Frenchman Creek near the headwaters parking area. You must double and triple-check your beacon before venturing into the great white.
As a general rule, keep in mind that safety demands you steer clear of venturing below slopes steeper than 30 degrees. “Avalanches can be triggered remotely from flat terrain above, below, and to the sides of steep slopes. Natural and human-triggered avalanches may run long distances and can impact gentler terrain below.” As a reminder these were the biggest avalanches this year and below are the best sites to keep informed:
Avalanches in Blaine County from 2024
January 2024
January 10: Forest Service Sawtooth Avalanche Center in Ketchum issued a Backcountry Avalanche Warning for the Sawtooth, Western Smoky, and Soldier Mountains, mountains near Stanley, Smiley Creek, Atlanta, and Fairfield.
.
February 2024
February 5: The Forest Service Sawtooth Avalanche Center in Ketchum issued a Backcountry Avalanche Watch warning for very dangerous avalanche conditions in The Pioneer, Boulder, Smoky, and Soldier Mountains, including the mountains near Galena Summit, Trail Creek Summit, Smiley Creek, Ketchum, Hailey, Bellevue, Carey, and Fairfield.
March 2024
March 1: Tragically, two snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche leaving one injured, and the other dead.
March 10: Blaine County saw multiple reported avalanches:
Highway 75 blocked, north of Ketchum, between Lake Creek Road and Hulen Meadows
West Warm Springs Road near Sandy Lane was completely obstructed.
War Eagle Road in Hailey near Red Elephant in the Della View Subdivision was blocked off.
An avalanche on Indian Creek near Sioux Drive was also reported.
March 10: A home was struck on War Eagle Drive in Hailey. Residential areas are not to be excluded.
March 10: The Sawtooth Avalanche Center rated the avalanche danger in the Wood River Valley,around Hailey and Ketchum as extreme.
Additionally, while not an avalanche there’s already been a Winter Weather Advisory that was in effect for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, for heavy snowfall in Shoshone, Lava Beds and areas north of Shoshone to Carey.
Staying Informed
Before you hit the trails, the go-to, up-to-date websites for avalanche monitoring are sawtoothavalanche.com, avalanche.org/#/current and idahopanhandleavalanche.org/
Check the area you plan to visit and be cautious even in residential areas near any slopes.
Blaine County Sheriff’s Office Reminder
A somewhat less dangerous snowy reminder from the BCSO:
“Remove the snow from all of your vehicle’s windows and roof BEFORE driving. It can fly off and startle other drivers, or worse hit their windshield blinding them causing an accident. Idaho law requires you to have an unobstructed view. “
Having fun means staying safe. Make this a year to remember fondly!
