Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warming temperatures and strong solar radiation will destabilize recent snow on slopes facing the sun. Monitor snow conditions and move to cooler, shaded terrain if you encounter rapidly warming snow. Although less likely, large avalanches falling on buried weak layers are still a concern on very steep north facing terrain around 9,000’.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches will be possible on steep terrain as temperatures climb above freezing with clearing skies today. These will be more likely in areas that received more snowfall this week, especially around rock features that heat surrounding snow surfaces. East aspects will warm first, followed by south then west. More avalanche activity is expected in the afternoon, depending on the cloud cover. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as clear signs of warming, unstable snow. Old, stubborn wind slabs could also destabilize and break on hardness changes if enough warming occurs today.

    Watch for rollerballs as a clear sign of warming and destabilizing snow.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow formed during the month-long drought in January is buried 2-3 feet deep below hard slabs. These avalanches are unlikely, if not unreactive, to the weight of a person across the majority of terrain. Isolated terrain that contains weak trigger points could still exist on very steep slopes over 35°. Buried surface hoar is the most likely culprit which exists on northerly aspects between 8,500-9,500’. Buried surface hoar can be unpredictable and preserved for long periods of time. Diligent snowpack assessment or steering clear of suspect slopes above consequential terrain is still advised. 

    Large triggers, such as cornice falls or multiple people on a slope, increases the chance of initiating a large avalanche on the January drought layer.

    (3/8/2026)

    The last human triggered avalanche in Prater Canyon at 8300' on a north aspect. 

    Prater Canyon - North 8300’ 

     

Avalanche Discussion

Spring Conditions (Almost)

The persistent slab problem is still lingering in the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges. As temperatures warm today, the best riding conditions could line up where this problem is most likely. Digging a quick snowpit can provide valuable insight about these weak layers before committing to consequential terrain. The warm week ahead should improve the weak snowpack structure.

This week it will be important to monitor temperatures during the big warm up. Record-breaking March temperatures are possible. If overnight temperatures increase above freezing we could experience wet slab activity failing on hardness changes in the snowpack. Any previous weak layers or crusts provide bed surfaces for avalanches as water percolates through the snowpack. Check the forecast regularly to stay up-to-date as we monitor conditions.

Access to terrain in parts of this forecast zone is becoming difficult due to the abnormally low snowpack below 7,000'. 

Regions covered