Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Strong winds from varying directions have formed slabs in mid and upper elevation terrain that could be triggered by backcountry skiers and riders today. A  chance also persists in triggering large slabs deeper in the snowpack. Watch for signs of wind loading, particularly around ridges, cliff bands and couloirs. Follow safe travel practices, never expose more than one person at time in avalanche terrain, and evaluate the snowpack to determine areas where weak snow lurks beneath the surface. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of snow that are buried 2-4 feet below the surface exist primarily on the north half of the compass. Although triggering an avalanche involving these layers has become less likely, it can still occur, especially above 8000 feet in terrain that is connected to very steep (greater than 35 degrees) slopes and have varying snow depths.  If triggered, these slabs are likely to release as large, dangerous, hard slab avalanches. Snowpack evaluation and safe travel practices remain the best methods to avoid triggering an avalanche involving the old snow layers. 

     

    (1/7/2025)

    Large persistent slab avalanche from earlier this week in the Snake River Range.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind gusts on Baird Mountain were from the west and reached over 40mph during the day before becoming north-northwesterly overnight.  These varying winds have caused new and recent snow to redeposit, and sensitive wind slabs can be found in upper elevation terrain. These slabs could be soft or hard and have depths to eighteen inches. Remember that even small wind slabs can have dire consequences in unforgiving terrain around cliff bands and in couloirs. 

    Wind speeds and directions for 48 hours on Baird, Glory, and Rendezvous.

    Photo: B-TAC

Avalanche Discussion

The wind continues to redistribute snow. When wind directions vary to this extent, the recent snow that fell can still be moved around and quickly load small areas that are different than those loaded during the storm itself.  As adventurers go venturing out into more aggressive terrain, be wary of areas that may be wind loaded. Sometimes this loading occurs at the top entrance to a run or along a ridge and other times it can be mid slope particularly in couloirs or near cliff areas where small terrain features can cause small and sensitive slabs to form.  Good group communication to discuss the potential of such loading can help in avoiding a mid-slope problem. 

The weak layers buried in mid and late December are well preserved in the snowpack. Although the triggering of an avalanche involving this snow is becoming less likely, areas still exist where a person or a group of people could cause a slope to fail.  This could happen while on a previously tracked slope or even when adjacent to steep terrain. Be wary of terrain that is so steep that snow could now be enticing but you suspect it could be covering a shear rock face or small cliff band that was exposed just a month ago. Looking at the snow layering in a drainage is the best way to understand the extent of this weakness and do not trust that such an evaluation will be the same in relatively close areas as the magnitude of this problem can vary greatly from one drainage to the next. 

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