Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Triggering an avalanche 1-2 feet deep that fails on buried weak layers is possible in steep, north facing terrain above 8,000’. These slabs could be triggered from a distance including gentle terrain below steep slopes. Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapses in the snowpack are obvious signs of instability. However, giving steep and consequential terrain a wide margin is the best way to avoid avalanche involvement today.

Clearing skies and warm temperatures will increase the potential for wet avalanche activity on steep slopes that face the sun this afternoon. Caution is advised in sunny terrain if snow surfaces become wet. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of snow including surface hoar and facets that formed during a month-long dry period in January were recently buried by 1-2 feet of snow. Multiple soft slab avalanches involving these layers were triggered by riders 48 hours ago. Several of these avalanches were large enough to bury a person and were triggered remotely. While the likelihood of triggering is slowly decreasing, riders still have the potential to trigger avalanches in very steep terrain greater than about 35°. Remote triggers may still be possible. Sheltered north facing slopes are where this problem is most likely to be found, but other aspects cannot be ruled out given the spotty distribution of weak snow. 

    Check out the recent avalanche activity in the Snake Rive Range here. 

    (2/12/2026)

    A large remotely triggered avalanche  in Mosquito Creek that propagated a long distance across the slope.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Longer periods of sun and warm temperatures are expected this afternoon. There was still plenty of dry snow left on upper elevation south facing slopes yesterday afternoon. Wet snow avalanches involving this snow will become a concern if the sun makes a prolonged appearance this afternoon. Plan on moving away from sunny slopes if snow surfaces become wet.

Avalanche Discussion

A month-long dry period ended early this week as welcomed storms brought almost two feet of new snow to the Snakes. This new snow has settled and formed soft slabs that are sitting on a variety of surfaces that formed in January. Prior to this week’s snowfall, hard crusts existed on south facing slopes, wind hardened surfaces were present in exposed terrain above 9,500’, and faceted snow with patches of surface hoar could be found in shady sheltered terrain above 8,000’. The latter of those surfaces is most concerning now that it is buried. Given the wide variability in drought surfaces, we are left with an avalanche problem that is spotty and somewhat difficult to predict. That said, recent human triggered avalanches indicate that this problem is most sensitive in very steep, north facing terrain from 8,000’-9,500’. This is the terrain where triggering an avalanche is most likely and where careful evaluation of the snowpack and terrain is most important for the time being.

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