Lawinenlagebericht

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Wed
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 7 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Today, it is possible to trigger a slab avalanche. Slides could break 2-5 feet deep in buried weak layers and be big enough to bury or injure a rider. Signs that a slope is unstable may not be present, so avoiding steep slopes that are rocky, wind effected, and/or convex are key. It is also possible to trigger a wind slab at upper elevations on leeward slopes. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and only expose one person at a time to steep slopes.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Weak layers of snow are buried 2-5 feet deep. While the likelihood of triggering a slide on one of these buried weak layers is low the consequences could be high. Avalanches failing on buried weak layers are dangerous and could bury or injure a rider. It is unlikely that signs of a slope being unstable will be present so terrain identification is key. Slopes that are steep, convex, have thin spots (trigger points such as rocks or small trees), and have been previously wind affected are most suspect. These weak layers exist on steep slopes that face west through north through east at mid and upper elevations. The best way to deal with a tricky problem like this is to avoid steep slopes that have buried weak snow.

    Avalanche from 1/11/2026 failing on a buried weak layer 2 feet below the surface.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Winds have remained tame in most of the range, but there is a possibility of triggering an old wind slab in very steep leeward terrain. Look for drifts on snow, they may be hard and feel hollow or drum-like. Cracking in the snow is a major red flag and a good sign to retreat from a slope if it's steep.

    As temperatures warm throughout the day, wet snow avalanches on steep, sun exposed slopes will become more likely. While these avalanches will generally be small, they could stack up in gullies and other similar terrain features. Roller balls are a sign that slopes are heating up

    (1/10/2026)

    Example of how to identify potentially wind loaded terrain. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

As time goes on, persistent weak layers buried in the snowpack will eventually heal, but they aren’t there yet. Unlike new snow instabilities like wind slabs and storm slabs, persistent weak layers linger. They overstay their welcome, and we just wish they would say goodbye until next year. But like a good host, we must entertain them until the end.

The best way to deal with this avalanche problem is to properly identify terrain, assess if it has a persistent weak layer, and determine whether it is steep enough to slide.

Here are some tools to help identify terrain:

  • Avoid terrain traps. Gullies, trees, rocks, and quick transitions in terrain can worsen the consequences of an avalanche. Don’t plan on getting caught in a slide, but if you do, stack the odds of a favorable outcome by avoiding these terrain features.
  • If a slope is shaded during the day, it likely faces west, north, or east. These are aspects that are more likely to harbor weak snow.
  • Measure if a slope is avalanche terrain or not. Slopes over 30° are avalanche terrain, and for the problems we are dealing with now, we are most concerned with slopes over 35°. You can use a variety of apps, but using the Measure app or a bubble level app can help with this. Here is a video that demonstrates how to measure slope angle.
  • Use digital mapping to identify aspect, elevation, and slope angle. Most modern mapping apps have a slope-angle shading layer. This can help you get a general idea of where avalanche terrain exists. Remember that this tool has resolution limitations and shouldn’t be used for actual route finding.
  • Carry avalanche rescue equipment on your person (avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe) and practice with it. There is no substitute for regular hands-on practice. Consider taking an avalanche course. These videos can be helpful, but are not a substitute for real, hands-on education.

Here is a preliminary look at the accident site and the snowpack in LaBarge Creek made yesterday.

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