Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Avalanche conditions remain dangerous.  Triggering an avalanche 1-3 feet thick in wind-drifted snow is likely - primarily at upper elevations. Recent snowfall and winds have added weight to the weak layers buried in the snowpack making it possible to trigger a large destructive avalanche. Sticking to gentler slopes sheltered from the wind will help reduce your risk. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Snow and winds have built slabs 2-3 feet thick on all aspects at upper elevations, and west through north through southeast aspects at middle elevations. Watch for signs of wind-affected snow such as pillows, drifting, and textured surfaces. You are most likely to encounter wind slabs around ridgelines, rocky areas, and cross-loaded terrain (gullies and roadcuts). Cracking and collapsing are sure signs of unstable snow. Traveling in sheltered terrain will help you stay away from this problem. 

    As clouds clear in the afternoon allowing the sun to come out, watch for signs of warming snow. Roller balls, pinwheels, and changing surface conditions are all good indicators that the snow surface is heating up. Small wet loose avalanches on steep southerly aspects may be possible if the sun comes out long enough. Heating snow will also increase the sensitivity of other avalanche problems. Sticking to higher elevations and shadier aspects will help you find cold snow. 

    (3/6/2024)

    Small cornice triggered windslab at 10,000 feet

    Photo: Travis Baldwin

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The Togwotee snowpack remains strained from recent snowfall and winds. Multiple weak layers are buried in the snowpack on all aspects and elevations. You are most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche where the snowpack is thinner. Use caution around steep, rocky, and wind-affected terrain. If triggered, slabs could be 3-4 feet thick and have the potential to step down into layers closer to the ground. Previous tracks on slopes do not indicate stability. Watching for signs of unstable snow, such as cracking or collapsing, and checking snow depth will help with your decision-making process. As we enter a period of calmer weather, the snowpack will start to stabilize under this new weight of snow. Until then, riding low-angled slopes will help you steer clear of this problem. 

    (3/2/2024)

    A large persistent slab avalanche east of Two Ocean Mountain. This avalanche broke about 400' wide and failed on weak snow formed in December.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Snowfall and winds from the past week have created various types of slab avalanches. As we head into a weekend with clear skies, take the time to evaluate your location. Avalanche danger still exists, and the new snow still needs time to stabilize. I recommend talking to other parties, discussing conditions, and using conservative decision-making for the time being. The sun will also start to head our snowpack up changing the sensitivity of avalanches as the days progress. Conditions may change following the sun's locations, so expect eastern slopes to heat up first. Lots of nice riding can be found on the northern half of the compass where snow will remain cold. 

Regions covered