Bridger Range

Another day - more springtime conditions. After multiple melt-freeze cycles and a refreeze overnight, the snowpack is locked up this morning. Be on alert if you start to sink more than ankle deep into wet snow as that means Wet Loose avalanches are possible. I expect these slides to remain quite small and not be widespread today, but they could be a hazard in places where a small slide would have big consequences. 

Our last daily avalanche forecast will be this Sunday, April 12. After that, we will post updates on Mondays and Fridays through the end of the month. Thank you all for a great winter season! We really appreciate the support, shared enthusiasm and all the observations we have received throughout this winter.

The snowpack has gone through multiple melt-freeze cycles and is generally stable. 

With clear skies and temperatures near or below freezing, there will be a firm refrozen crust this morning. While this crust remains supportable (meaning you’re skiing, riding, or walking on top of it), there is little or no avalanche hazard

If you begin sinking deeper than ankle deep into wet snow, pay attention, because Loose Wet avalanches are possible. When/if this happens depends on a combination of how solid the refreeze was this morning, how warm it gets today, how quickly cloud cover increases, and the slope angle/aspect of the slope you’re riding (steeper and more south facing slopes will warm up more). I don’t expect more than the top couple inches of the snowpack to melt today, so any avalanches should be quite small and manageable. Do be alert if you’re riding terrain where a little slide would have big consequences.

An observation from high in the southern Madison Range on Wednesday is a good reminder that there is still dry snow on the highest and shadiest slopes. Even these slopes are generally stable, but a little Wind Slab avalanche is not entirely out of the question, so don’t turn your avalanche brain off entirely. 

The avalanche danger is LOW across the entire forecast area.