Avalanche danger has been trending downward. Triggering an avalanche remains possible in isolated areas of very steep, rocky and wind-loaded terrain above about 9,000’. Evaluate slopes carefully and exercise safe travel practices such as moving one at a time and carefully watching your partner.
Wind slabs deposited in the most recent storm are becoming less reactive but not totally so. Look for signs of previous wind-loading like drifts, cornices, scalloped and textured surfaces and areas that have been scoured to the ground. You'll find stubborn, and in most cases, hard wind slabs nearby.
(12/31/2025)
Natural wind slab that likely occured 12/27. (Near Sheep Pass)
Large avalanches that occurred 4-5 days ago in steep terrain have been observed above about 9,000 feet. These avalanches released at the tail end of an extended precipitation event that brought rain on snow, significant loading, fluctuating temperatures and high winds. While time has passed since this event and temperatures have promoted healing, this avalanche problem cannot be completely ruled out. Avalanches of this magnitude at this point in time would be considered an outlier. Despite the low likelihood, continue to evaluate steep terrain carefully and practice safe travel habits.
Avalanche that likely occured 12/27 near Sheep Pass. It appears that it was a wind slab that triggered a persistent slab mid slope.
Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
Strange weather makes for strange avalanche issues. This season went from drought to firehose in a couple short weeks. Extreme wind, copious snowfall and sadly, rain was the result as Pacific storms hammered the landscape. Most of our avalanche problems have been quick to rise and quick to fall in danger, like a maritime snowpack. But the wild swings in temperature have produced impermeable rain and temperature crusts along with some faceted grains. The crusts have made for poor bonding and the weak grains closer to the ground have discouraged the sintering and rounding needed to make an entirely strong snowpack. We are trending towards good stability as time wears on but we aren’t out of the woods yet. Continue to evaluate slopes, especially high northerly terrain and keep your guard up, especially during this busy holiday time.
Observations such as this and this help us all gain a better understanding of the nature and extent of avalanche problems. Thanks to all who have submitted! You can submit your own through our website or even by texting the number at the bottom of every page of the website.
