Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Danger will rise throughout the day with incoming wind and heavy snowfall. By sunset, dangerous avalanche conditions will exist, and it is likely that the weight of a rider will trigger an avalanche on steep, wind loaded slopes. As weather intensifies, dial back terrain choice to lower angle and wind sheltered terrain.

Yesterday a report came in that a skier triggered avalanche occurred south of Teton Pass in steep terrain resulting in a partial burial. Teton County Search and rescue responded to the incident. No further information is available at this time.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

     As snowfall rates and wind increase, dense slabs will begin to form on leeward slopes. Wind slab avalanches will be sensitive to the weight of a rider and could be 1-2 feet deep. A slide triggered in the new snow could step down into old snow layers, leading to larger and more consequential avalanches. Pay attention to where the wind is blowing new snow and tone down terrain choices as weather intensifies and avalanche hazard rises.

    (12/8/2025)

    Watch for cracking in new drifts.

    Photo: BTAC

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Additional weight from today’s storm will increase stress on weak snow that formed in November and is buried 2-3 feet deep. You are most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche in steep, rocky, wind affected terrain. An avalanche failing within the new snow could step down into the November layers, causing it to break below the recent snow and connect across terrain features.

    Avalanche in steep wind loaded terrain at upper elevation, breaking into buried weak layers.

    Photo: BTAC

Avalanche Discussion

On December 10th, a crust formed during a rain on snow event up to 10,000’. This left a slick, hard ice lens on most aspects at mid and upper elevations. If today’s snow forecast pans out, there will be over 2.5 feet of snow and over 3 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE) sitting atop this layer. This crust is widespread and connects across terrain features.Some uncertainty remains regarding how much water weight (SWE) it will take to tip the scales and bring this crust into play with current avalanches. What is known is that rapid change in weather brings suspect layers in the snowpack to life, and rapid change will continue with over 1 foot of snow and 1.5 inches of water forecast for the next 24 hours.This  crust is not typical for the ranges of western Wyoming, and as generations before have said, weird weather creates weird avalanches. Factor this layer into your route planning and terrain choices to give yourself a larger margin around this uncertainty.

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