Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The new snow that fell yesterday added strain to a weak layer buried last week. Widespread collapsing and avalanches have been reported on this weak layer. Avalanches triggered on this layer today could be large enough to bury a person or push a rider into rocks that lie barely covered by our early-season snowpack. Be cautious when entering steep, mostly shaded aspects that harbor weaker and older layers.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    It is possible for a skier or rider to trigger an avalanche on this layer at middle and upper elevations where October snow developed weak crystals near or on the old surface. Natural and human-triggered avalanches have occurred on this layer since November 2nd. The weak layer is buried deeply enough now to create an avalanche large enough to bury a person. These slabs are likely to be 1-2’ thick and up to 3’ thick along ridges where the wind has drifted snow. You can read more about this layer in recent observations from Togwotee, Targhee, and Teton Pass. 

    (11/9/2022) Skiers dug and performed stability test after experiencing widespread and loud collapes right out of the car on the way to Two Ocean.

Avalanche Discussion

Our early-season snowpack has grown substantially over the past few days. Skiing and riding have been mostly limited to smoother slopes at the mid and upper elevations though there is now close to 12-18" of snow on the ground at 7,000'. The new snow also created some complexity to the snowpack when it more deeply buried the surface hoar and near surface facets that grew during the dry period following the snowfall October 22-27. That layer now has been loaded with 3-4" of snow water equivalent and is showing the strain. Widespread collapsing along with some decent-sized avalanches yesterday triggered with explosives point to a reactive snowpack. Experienced people have been backing off of objectives due to scary test pit results and significant whumpfing. Low-angle slopes without many obstacles may be your best bet for skiing or riding though it's still a gamble with the thin snowpack. 

Weak layers evolve and heal at different rates depending on aspect, elevation, weather, and range. Understanding these patterns takes time, particularly in the early season, and requires diligence and monitoring. Snap a photo of any avalanches you see or make note of any collapses and cracking in the snow surface. Submitting snowpit data also helps us paint the picture of what is happening across our ranges. The more data we get,  the easier it is to collectively make safer decisions on where to play.

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