Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

It will be possible to trigger avalanches in steep terrain in the middle and upper elevations today. Recent snow and wind has created fresh wind slabs that will be sensitive to the weight of a person. Obvious signs of unstable snow include recent avalanches, shooting cracks and collapsing. When these signs are present, move to lower angle terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Snowfall and wind that occurred in the last 48 hours has created wind slabs 1-3 feet thick on a variety of aspects. Winds have shifted from southwest to northwest during this time. As a result expect to find wind slabs on multiple aspects in both the mid and upper elevations. Steep terrain with evidence of recent wind loading will be the most likely areas to encounter this problem. While temps will be cold today, the sun will increase the odds of triggering.

    (12/27/2025)

    Skier triggered avalanche on a S aspect @ ~9500 feet on Mt Glory. 12-16" in depth 30 feet in width, ran 150 feet.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    A crust that formed three days ago is showing some potential for being a problematic layer. This interface is now anywhere from 1-3 feet deep depending on location. While weak snow associated with this crust has not been observed on a large scale, the possibility exists. This interface should be considered guilty until proven innocent.

    A crust that formed on Dec 10th was initially a concern as a widespread slick bed surface, potentially capable of producing very large avalanches. This interface is likely dormant, but cannot be ruled out. 

    Large triggers in the form of wind slab avalanches and large groups will be required to activate these layers today.

Avalanche Discussion

A welcome return to winter has arrived at the lower elevations. A series of atmospheric rivers combined with being situated on the warm side of the jet stream created conditions for rain in the lower and mid elevations and wet snow in the upper elevations over the last ten days. This created a variety of “upside down” slabs as well as a crust up to 9,500 that formed on Chritsmas day. During this period the Tetons received 4-6 feet of snow. Occasionally strong winds helped to amplify loading rates and unstable conditions. This is a significant load in a relatively short amount of time. 

As precipitation has tapered off, the snowpack is beginning to move into a period of stabilization. Cold temperatures in the wake of the wet and warm period are helping to speed up the adjustment of the various interfaces within the upper 3-5 feet of the snowpack. Question marks for today are sensitivity of newly formed windslabs and reactivity of the Christmas crust. 

The first clear day after an extended period of clouds and precip may lure riders and skiers into terrain harboring these potential problems. Give the snowpack time to adjust by avoiding terrain with these problems today.

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