Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center

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Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center

The Friends are the non-profit fundraising & education component of the USFS Payette Avalanche Center

05/01/2026

Save the date! Idaho Gives is May 4-7, 2026

We’re aiming to raise $10,000 in this campaign to fully fund a winter 26/26 intern position that will support our longer term goals of becoming a full time, 7 day/week forecast center.

Can we count on our support? Find out more at and visit our campaign directly via the link in our bio.

04/23/2026

Avalanche Forecasting Operations Have Come to a Close for the 2025-26 Season.

The PAC would like to thank all of our supporters for contributing to a great season. We couldn't do the work we do without the generous support of the FPAC and our volunteers…A big shoutout to our sponsors: McCall Sports, Gravity Sports, Double R Trailers, Donnelly Snowmobile Club, Tamarack Resort, Brundage Mountain Resort, Edmark Toyota, Stable Mountain, Venture Snowboards, Darin Pfost Farm Bureau, Spark R&D, Rossignol, Weston, B&D Ski Gear, WCUA, and to the Staff of the Payette National Forest McCall Ranger District.

We want to say thanks to Carl's Cycles for providing the PAC with 2 Polaris 850 SP snowmobiles for the season. A safe winter season wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support from our local winter community here in the West Central mountains, including all those fantastic observations we received this season. Have a safe spring in the mountains. Continue to remain vigilant and flexible while traveling in the mountains this spring. Check out the observations page weather tools page for trip planning and weather information during the spring and fall.

Thank You 🙏

Payette Avalanche Center

04/17/2026

Expect wintry conditions to transition back to spring again this weekend. 1-2 feet of recent snowfall has formed wind slabs 1-3 feet thick on east-facing slopes, above 7,000 feet. As new snow settles and receives spring sunshine, slab avalanches will become sensitive to human triggering in terrain that's sheltered from the wind. Both wet and dry-loose avalanches will be on the menu this weekend. Wet-loose avalanche activity will ramp up Saturday into Sunday as temperatures warm and sunshine increases. Pay attention to signs of instability, maintain safe travel practices, and be prepared to find winter-like conditions at higher elevations.

Visit payetteavalanche.org for up-to-date snow, weather, and avalanche conditions.

04/05/2026

Natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches are possible on steep, south-facing slopes, especially on melt-freeze crusts. Pay attention to signs indicating surface snow is becoming wet and unstable. If you're sinking deeply into wet, mushy snow, it's time to switch to a different aspect. Stick to shaded aspects, away from wind-affected snow, to find the safest conditions.

Today is our last avalanche forecast of the season. We will continue to update the General Avalanche Information as conditions warrant.

Thanks for a safe and successful winter season. Continue to check payetteavalanche.org for up-to-date snow, weather, and avalanche conditions.

04/03/2026

Interested in progressing your local avalanche center and fulfilling a necessary role towards growth for the McCall community and beyond? Fill out the survey (link in bio) to join the FPAC board and work closely with the USFS Payette Avalanche Center to continue progress. Duties include guiding fundraising opportunites, avalanche education outreach, & working closely with forecasters to help make the goals of the avalanche center and Friends organization—a reality.

04/02/2026

4/1/26: Gabrielle and George rode to Fisher Creek Saddle to check out conditions with new snowfall (and more on the way) bonding to old snow surfaces. The old snow surface is a mixed bag of melt-freeze crusts and generally—wet snow. With an additional 8-12 inches of snow expected, favoring the northern portion of the Salmon River Range, we expect to see a wide range in avalanche activity. Many of these may be small and occur at low to middle-elevations, running as wet-loose avalanches or point-releases. Above 6,500, larger avalanche activity will most likely be in the form of wind slabs of newly-drifted snow. Either way—conditions moving into the weekend will becoming increasingly dangerous. March produced very little snowfall, but it’s time to turn the avalanche brain on once again. Cautious route-finding, traveling one at a time, and carrying the proper gear.

04/01/2026

Another pulse of winter like conditions for West Central Idaho today …New snow and strong southwest wind will create sensitive wind slabs up to a foot deep at elevations above 6500’. Expect rising avalanche danger as the day progresses. Continue to practice safe backcountry travel habits, avoid wind loaded slopes & give terrain near or under cornices a wide buffer. If you are seeing cracks or drifts of snow, find another lower angle slope.

03/31/2026

Join the PAC team next season for this learning opportunity! We are seeking a highly motivated aspiring or current snow professional to add to our team and learn the different elements that go into public avalanche forecasting. Interested applicants may send a resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Link in bio for additional information and requirements.

Address

McCall, ID
83638

Telephone

+12086340409

Website

http://www.payetteavalanche.org/

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