Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist today, and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Avalanches can be triggered in areas where the wind has built drifts and in areas sheltered from the wind, as well as while approaching or riding a slope, from adjacent terrain, or below. Traveling in, near, or under avalanche terrain in the alpine is not recommended today.

We are sorry to report that a fatal avalanche occurred Sunday in the Salt River Range. The preliminary report can be found here. Our condolences go out to those involved.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Large, deadly avalanches failing on very weak snow formed in December are a real threat today. Avalanches will break 3 to 5 feet deep in the mid and upper elevations. Below 7,500’, slab depths will be in the 1 to 3-foot range. All aspects (shaded and sunny) at all elevations are suspect. Slabs could be triggered from a distance or wait until you ride the slope to release. Nearly 20 inches of new snow has fallen in the upper elevations of the Salt River Range over the past two days. This additional load will push an already weak snowpack over the edge.

    Backcountry travel is not recommended at this time. If you choose to go out, know that extremely careful route finding is of the utmost importance today. Staying far away from terrain connected to avalanche paths and keeping slope angles below 30° is critical. This also means being aware of the terrain above you as remote triggering is likely. Natural and rider-triggered avalanches have the potential to run long distances. Runout zones should be avoided. Groomed trails that cross avalanche paths should be evaluated carefully and crossed one at a time.

     

    (1/11/2024)

    Large natural avalanche yesterday near Smiths Fork that propagated significantly across the slope. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Weak snow formed during a dry period in November persists at the base of the snowpack. This layer is now buried about 5 to 6 feet deep in the Salt River, Snake River, and western portions of the Wyoming Range. It is at its weakest on the north half of the compass. The recent loading events have pushed this deep weak layer to its breaking point in some locations. Deep slab events were observed in the Snake River Canyon two days ago. These very large avalanches are most likely to occur when an avalanche triggered in the most recent snow steps down to weak old snow. Any avalanche involving the entire snowpack will be destructive and likely unsurvivable. 

    Areas in the eastern Wyoming Range, Hoback Canyon, and Gros Ventre Mountains lacked significant snowfall prior to the storm cycle beginning January 4th. In these locations, the new snow has fallen on a snowpack that was primarily made up of weak, sugary snow. Deep slab events are not likely in these locations due to the shallower snowpack.

    (1/13/2024)

    Ferry Peak. South aspect at 9,000'. Note the areas in the apron that stepped down to older snow.

Avalanche Discussion

In a small town, avalanche deaths impact us all—nearly everyone is only a few degrees of separation from being an acquaintance. Accidents provide us an opportunity to reflect on our own choices and exercise compassion for ourselves and others. The current snowpack setup has an unprecedented and widespread amount of weak snow that is particularly wicked. The character of this weak snow is unlike what many folks have ever experienced. It's a rare season, even in a lifetime in the mountains, to glass just a small portion of one side of a mountain range and have a hard time not seeing a wide, destructive avalanche. This season is already going down in history as unprecedented for various reasons, and our typical use patterns in the backcountry need to adapt to this. Any and all terrain needs to be looked at with a fresh lens today and moving forward. This means dialing back slope angles, even in terrain that feels more familiar, & recognizing the consequences of even a small avalanche in that terrain. 

Please submit observations of avalanches to help us track conditions in the area! Observations can be simple or elaborate, with or without photos, and with or without your name. Thanks to everyone who has submitted this season...you are making a difference!

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