With the recent (and incoming!) snow, many backcountry enthusiasts are ready to hit the slopes! But, be aware of significant avalanche danger.
Avalanche Warnings have been issued by the Flathead Avalanche Center in Kalispell for the Swan and Flathead Ranges as well as the Lake McDonald & Marias Pass areas of Glacier National Park. New and drifted snow are overloading fragile, reactive weak layers. It will be easy to trigger large, wide, and deadly avalanches. Natural avalanches may run long distances. It's best to avoid riding or traveling in avalanche terrain at this time.
Similarly, the West Central Montana Avalanche Center in Missoula has also issued an Avalanche Warning for the southern Swans, southern Missions and Rattlesnake ranges as well as the central & southern Bitterroot Mountains through Saturday evening. New snow, weak layers in the snowpack, and strong winds are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions.
Visit these links for more information:
Flathead Avalanche Center - flatheadavalanche.org
West Central Avalanche Center - missoulaavalanche.org
Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center - idahopanhandleavalanche.org
