Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Heightened avalanche conditions exist above 8,500 feet, where a skier or rider could trigger an avalanche. Slides may be triggered by the weight of a person or remotely, especially on slopes that have been recently wind loaded. Don’t be deceived by the white canvas of recent snow. Early season conditions exist, with rocks, stumps, and logs lurking just below the snow surface. To travel safely and avoid avalanches, stick to low-angle terrain outside of wind affected areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    In the last 5 days the Tetons have received 1-2 feet of snow and with 2-3 inches of Snow Water Equivalent. While this has allowed for better mountain travel, it has also overloaded weak snow that was buried in late November. Nearly 20 avalanches have been reported on northerly and easterly slopes above 8,500 feet. Although there was a decrease in avalanche activity yesterday, poor structure in the snowpack still exists. Avoid steep slopes above 8,500’ that have a northerly tilt (west-north-east) and you can avoid this problem. Due to the connectivity of the weak layer, these avalanches can be triggered remotely. Remember with shallow coverage, even a small avalanche has increased risk of injury due to rocks, stumps, and logs thinly veiled beneath the snow surface. 

    (12/6/2025)

    Photo of a human triggered avalanche in Thanksgiving bowl in 12/6/2025. On a steep NE facing slope

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Last night westerly wind speeds held steady in the 20s, with gusts in the 40s. These speeds combined with dry snow available for transport have created fresh wind drifts at upper elevations on leeward slopes. If triggered, a wind slab avalanche could step deeper into buried weak layers, breaking wider than expected. Although they may be appealing due to improved coverage, avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes, especially those on the north and east side of the compass.

    (12/6/2025)

    This avalanche occured on a wind loaded that broke wide and stepped down into older snow.

    Photo: Daniel Nagy

Avalanche Discussion

The slow start to winter has left weak snow at upper elevations on northerly slopes. Last night's storm did not produce the precipitation expected with 1-5” of snow and .1-.5” of SWE. But the snow load we have seen over the last 5 days is significant and has tipped the scales, stressing weak layers that were buried in late November. This is the current persistent weak layer. 

How long this weak layer persists depends on what the weather does. If we continue to see precipitation and active weather, the weak faceted snow will start to become more cohesive and heal faster. If we keep getting dribbles of snow or the weather shuts off it may take a bit longer. For now we will be keeping an eye on the weather and avoiding steep slopes where this problem exists. Good turns can be found on low angle slopes above 8,500’ where wind and sun have been kept at bay.

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