Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Conditions remain dangerous and making conservative terrain choices is the best way to avoid being involved in an avalanche accident.  Backcountry riders and skiers have the potential to trigger small to very large avalanches in steep terrain at all elevations today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

     

    A dry December formed a widespread, weak layer of snow. On top of that weak layer lies all of January's snowfall. This newer snow can be easily triggered by riders/skiers today as hard slab avalanches with depts of two to four feet.  These slabs will be largest at the high elevations but most sensitive at mid elevations where the weakness can be found even in treed terrain that is often overlooked as being able to slide. Two avalanches resulting in full burials have occurred in the last 6 days (Willow Creek, Palmer Creek). Do not trust other peoples actions as the layer is not being impacted by tracks and a slope may fail after it has been tracked several times. Do not even travel under avalanches paths with more than person being exposed at a time. 

     

     

     

    (1/22/2024)

    Recent avalanche incident in the Salt River Range that depicts the current danger on steep slopes. 

    Photo: Braden Dickey

Avalanche Discussion

In a snowpack wrought with weakness, restraint and vigilance will be necessary to avoid avalanche incidents in the foreseeable future.  As the chance to trigger a slide slowly decreases, it is not really indicating the snowpack is healing. The weakness remains preserved in the snowpack. Do not overthink this, the simple truth is human triggered slides are possible at all elevations and could be quite large at the high elevations.  At this time, steepness is a key element in what is more likely to slide and remember that slides have been occurring in all types of steep terrain, including trees. Avalanches could also occur when first impacting a fresh slope or after it has been tracked several times. Reports of large collapsing, snow-pit details, and continued reports of large avalanches that occurred sometime during the last two weeks support the existence and extent of the weak snow layer in western Wyoming.  Stick to flatter terrain that has low to no terrain consequences if an avalanche occurs. 

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