Utah avalanche danger rated ‘moderate’, signs of slides reported
Jan 26, 2025, 9:03 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2025, 4:38 pm
A screenshot of the Utah Avalanche Center's website shows danger ratings for Jan. 26, 2025.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Avalanche Center rated the danger as ‘moderate’ in every area except Moab on Sunday. The Moab area saw a rating of ‘low’ danger.
Salt Lake area forecast
All aspects above 9,500 feet in the Salt Lake area were considered to be moderately dangerous. The moderate rating also applied to the West through East faces between 8,000 and 9,500 feet in elevation.
UAC forecasters said the main problem in Salt Lake on Sunday was wind-drifted snow. In the past week, wind has picked up and deposited snow, leading to hard slabs. They are most common on north through east-facing slopes.
Per UAC, backcountry users can get far onto a slope before a hard wind slab fractures.
In an interview with Ski Utah, one avalanche forecaster recommended reading the forecast every day, even if you aren’t heading into the backcountry. Ongoing knowledge of conditions can help you plan for the days you do participate.
Additionally, Know Before You Go, a free online avalanche training course, recommended reading recent terrain observations.
The training should not be used as a replacement for in-person, hands-on training with experts. However, it is a good place to brush up on your knowledge or build a foundation of knowledge before registering for a class.
Utah avalanche terrain observations
Recent observations shared on UAC’s website on Sunday shared details of avalanche warning signs.
One observer said they intentionally triggered an avalanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon’s Little Superior Bowl.
According to the report, that person and their group were traveling uphill, also referred to as ‘skinning’, on the east ridge. The writer explained that a wind slab broke at a cornice.
“The cornice grabbed my downhill ski,” wrote the observer.
Nobody was carried in the avalanche.
Two others reported signs of avalanche activity. One of the reports was for the Mineral Fork area, which is also in Big Cottonwood. The second was in the White Pine area of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Observations can be submitted on the Utah Avalanche Center website. According to the National Avalanche Center, they help forecasters get a better idea of current conditions and can lead to more accurate forecasts.
Related: One skier partially buried in Big Cottonwood Canyon avalanche, report says
