Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

It will be possible to trigger avalanches 2-3 feet deep in very steep terrain today. Avalanches involving more recent snow are possible and will be confined to isolated pockets of wind slabs 1 foot or less deep in very steep upper elevation terrain. Incoming new snow and wind will not be enough to increase the danger today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Slabs overlying weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep remain possible to trigger on very steep slopes over 35°. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches may not be present before triggering a large, dangerous avalanche that is capable of propagating far across or upslope. Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate that a slope is stable. Stick to lower consequence terrain away from terrain traps and rocky, convex, very steep slopes today.

    (1/16/2025)

    An example of terrain where persistent slab avalanches are most likely.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Weak snow buried 5 feet deep exists near the ground above 9,000’. Triggering an avalanche at this depth is very unlikely but not impossible.

    On February 10th, a rider stepped off their sled and triggered a very large avalanche that failed near the ground on Lava Mountain. This avalanche was triggered where the overlying slab was thin making it possible for the rider to impact the underlying weak layer. Manage this problem the same way you would manage weak layers in the middle of the snowpack by avoiding very steep, rocky, and wind loaded terrain.

     

    (2/11/2025)

    The crown of the recent unintentionally-triggered avalanche on the E face of Lava ~10,400'.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Today’s avalanche problems primarily involve weak layers in the middle of the snowpack. Storms between Feb 14th and 19th deposited 2 feet of snow throughout the Togwotee forecast zone. This added stress to underlying weak layers. In the past 4 days, the snowpack has had some time to adjust to this load. This translates to a gradual decreasing trend of avalanche activity. Despite this trend, it remains possible to trigger an avalanche at these depths. The likelihood of triggering increases as the slope angles increase and when large triggers (groups, multiple snowmobiles) hit thin spots in the slab. Thin spots exist on the boundaries of terrain that have been impacted by the wind and are more problematic when the snowpack connects to thicker slabs within that same terrain. In periods of improving stability, it remains important to follow safe travel practices despite a lack of general avalanche activity. Travel one at a time in steep terrain, avoid stopping in the runout of avalanche paths and communicate with your partners throughout the day.

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