Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

It remains possible to trigger an avalanche 1 to 3 feet thick. Avalanches could break on the deeper side of that range in areas loaded by the wind. Evaluate steep slopes carefully and keep in mind that recent avalanches have been triggered with none of the typical warning signs. You may not see cracking or collapsing before triggering an avalanche. If you are unsure, seek out sheltered lower-angle terrain where you will also find the best riding.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering a large avalanche in the recent storm snow is possible where weak layers were buried on 2/6. The current slab sits on a variety of weak surfaces, including crusts on solar aspects but the facets on north through southeast aspects have produced the most avalanches in adjacent zones. The most dangerous avalanches could occur on steep rocky slopes and areas where wind-deposited snow formed slabs from the last storm.  Dig down and investigate layers in the top 3 feet of the snowpack and you'll find this weak layer though it may not show propagation in many pits.  Continue to travel safely by going one at a time around steep avalanche terrain and spacing out around terrain traps like creek beds and gullies.

    (2/11/2025)

    This older large avalanche occurred on weaker snow deeper in the snowpack at upper elevations near Gunsight Pass. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Since the beginning of January, snowpacks across the state have nearly doubled.  Snowfall on older, weak snow from January (~3-5 deep) has not been a concern, whereas the more recent interface (2/6) consisting of crusts/facets in the top portion of the snowpack (1-3 feet deep) remains reactive and the primary concern. While the snowpack adjusts to the most recent loading, continue to evaluate steep slopes carefully and identify where wind deposited snow over the last 12 days. Continue to look for recent avalanches, cracking in the surface, and large collapses. However, we will see fewer of these clues going forward - chances are you will trigger an avalanche without seeing any signs beforehand.

Buried weak layers from the January dry period will be as deep as 5 feet and are considered dormant at this time.

If you are uncertain whether a steep slope could avalanche and don’t want to dig to investigate weak layers, consider the consequences if you are on that slope, and it avalanches - I am certain that there are few good outcomes getting caught in a large avalanche or even a small avalanche in a terrain trap.

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