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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Skiers and riders have the slight potential to trigger dangerous avalanches involving old, weak, buried snow layers. It is also possible to trigger small recently formed wind slabs. The surface slab problem can be avoided by watching out for slopes that look wind loaded, however the persistent slab problem requires a thorough evaluation of the snowpack, especially in complex avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of snow are buried 2-4 feet deep within the snowpack. Triggering a large hard slab avalanche at these depths has become unlikely but is not impossible. Instability is most likely to be found in very steep, north facing terrain and will involve finding a thin and therefore weak spot in the snowpack. These weak spots lurk in steep, rocky and usually complex terrain. Larger triggers such as groups, snowmobiles, or falling cornices, will increase the odds of impacting these weak layers. 

    (1/13/2025)

    This photo from the Wyoming Range is an example of where you can trigger persistent weak layers. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent strong winds that have been westerly, northerly and then back to westerly continue to move loose snow on peaks and near ridge crests. Last night Mount Coffin winds averaged up to 40 mph with gusts to 53 mph. These slabs could be soft or hard with depths to one foot and are most likely to be found just below ridges and in rocky terrain, including couloirs. Remember that even small slides can have dire consequences in complex terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

Old, buried snow layers continue to warrant consideration. This avalanche problem is currently a low likelihood/high consequence scenario. Choosing terrain that reduces your exposure and remaining vigilant when traveling in avalanche terrain is important given this setup. Snow depths vary greatly throughout this forecast zone and those areas where the snowpack is not as deep, such as the east side of Wyoming range, may be more prone to having unstable slopes. A very large natural avalanche involving these layers occurred on January 7th in the nearby Snake River Range  is a good reminder of weak snow lurking below. The wind slab problem is most likely to be found in very steep, rocky or "extreme" terrain. The wind slab problem should be short lived as the freshly transported snow bonds to the recent snow surfaces. 

Want to learn more about how triggering a persistent slab avalanche from a thin spot works? Check out this sweet video made by a seasoned avalanche professional.

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