Island Park

Avalanche conditions are mostly stable. Look out for wind drifts more than a few inches thick and if you find one, steer around it. Dry loose avalanches (facet sluffs) are also possible, but only a concern in the steepest, most exposed terrain.

The primary avalanche concerns today are driven by the new snow that fell on Wednesday that has been blown into drifts sitting on weak layers that formed during the January dry spell. The Bridger Range, Northern Madison Range, Northern Gallatin Range, and Cooke City area have the most recent snow (generally 4-6”, a bit more in some spots) and have a MODERATE avalanche danger. The mountains around Island Park and West Yellowstone have only seen an inch or two of snowfall this week and the avalanche danger remains LOW. 

Watch out for wind drifts today, particularly in the areas that got more new snow. Assume every drift is sitting on top of weak layers at the old snow surface (Beehive video, Hebgen video, Bridgers video). Without wind drifting, the new snow won’t be deep enough or cohesive enough for a dangerous slab avalanche. Still, with how weak the old snow surface got, it may not take a ton of wind drifting, as shown by an avalanche in the Bridger Range yesterday that broke a foot deep on a slope that was only slightly wind affected (observation). Steer around drifts and search out wind sheltered slopes where triggering a Wind Slab avalanche is much less likely and which will hold better riding conditions anyways. Drifts could be up to 2 ft deep in the areas that got the most new snow, but will only be a couple inches deep and much less widespread in the areas that mostly missed out on the recent snowfall.

Dry loose avalanches (facet sluffs) are possible across the advisory area. These are typically not a big issue, since they start at your feet and won’t entraining a lot of now, but a long running sluff on the Fin near Cooke City demonstrates the potential hazard in steep, exposed terrain.

King and Queen of The Ridge Fund-Raiser

Do you love hiking the Ridge at Bridger Bowl? Are you passionate about sliding on snow? Then this event is calling your name. Hike, ski, ride, and raise money while enjoying the camaraderie & great community vibes.Make sure to sign up in two places, through Bridger Bowl to participate and through our event page for the fundraising part of the event. 

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