Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago.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

The potential exists to trigger a large avalanche involving buried weak layers on very steep, north facing slopes around 8,500’. Carefully evaluate the snowpack and build in some margin of safety around this terrain. Also, watch for small pockets of unstable wind drifted snow in very steep, upper elevation terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow formed in January is buried 2 to 4 feet deep below a hard slab. Triggering an avalanche involving these layers has become difficult due to the strength of the overlying slab, but remains possible on very steep (35°+), north facing slopes. Pockets of buried surface hoar are most concerning and can be found between 8,000 and 9,500 feet on shaded slopes that are sheltered from the wind. Diligent snowpack evaluation, or steering clear of steep slopes with these characteristics are the best ways to manage this problem for the time being.

    (3/8/2026) Prater Canyon - North 8300’ 

    This avalanche was triggered from the bottom of this sheltered, convex slope which had a skin and ski tracks on it. The avalanche partially buried three riders, one to the chest. A thick ice crust was on the snow surface. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The Snake only received a few inches from yesterday’s storm. Wind speeds were strong to extreme though, and likely formed shallow, dense slabs in wind-loaded terrain above 9,000’. While small, these pockets could catch you off guard in consequential terrain. Give steep, wind loaded features a healthy margin as you travel.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday’s strom ended up being a bit more of a dud than we would like. Weather station instruments struggle to measure snow when it is extremely windy, but it seems as though most locations picked up at least a few inches of snow. On the bright side, the wind has finally calmed down. Some sunshine and cold temperatures today will make for a nice day in the mountains, though it remains a good call to evaluate the new snow stability before committing to steeper terrain. New snow depths will vary significantly across terrain features. Some places are likely stripped down to crusts and deeper drifts will exist on other slopes. Keep in mind that wind-loading can occur on a variety of aspects when the direction switches from SW to NW. Warming shouldn’t be too much of a concern today given the cold temperatures and wind blown snow on the surface.

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