Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It will be possible today to trigger very large avalanches that are easily capable of burying a person.  Slabs could be up to 4 feet thick in wind loaded terrain and 2-3 feet thick in wind-sheltered terrain. Avalanches could occur without signs of instability, though you may hear collapsing, and could be triggered from a distance, beside or beneath a slope. Ride low angle terrain under 30 degrees and allow time for the weak snow to adjust to the new load from the most recent winter storm.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent snowfall has further stressed the January drought layer that's responsible for avalanches every day of the past week.   Most of the avalanche activity prior to the recent winter storm has been on N and NE aspects above 7,500' but the 2.3 inches of water weight (in 12-16" new snow) could tip the balance towards instability on more aspects. This added weight of recent snow will also make the prime aspects (N-NE) even more reactive with even thicker slabs. The spotty distribution of these weak layers should be considered as you may not see avalanches or signs of instability in your travels before triggering a slab. Though weak layers have been most reactive on the West Side and south of the Pass, time will tell if the new load wakes up the January drought layer elsewhere. 

    Now is a good time to reel in your desires for steep slopes and rowdy lines until we better understand the behavior of the current snowpack.  Recent avalanches have been triggered from a distance or from below. When local professionals are getting surprised, you should take that as a cue to choose a more conservative mindset. Today is no time to FAFO on consequential slopes, especially over terrain traps.

    A very large skier triggered avalanche that occurred near Phillips Pass on 2/21/2026. The 5th rider on the slope triggered the smaller slab near the ridge that then triggered a much larger avalanche below the cliff band.

    ENE at 9,200'

     

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong and extreme winds formed wind slabs 2-3 feet thick yesterday. Expect to find them down to mid-elevations due to the high velocity and sustained nature of these southwest and westerly winds. Warm temperatures yesterday encouraged increased stability but very steep terrain may still be sensitive to triggering.  Be particularly suspicious of wind-loaded areas where weak snow that formed in January has been most reactive such as the West Side, southern Tetons and south of the Teton Pass.  Dense, upside down snow broke widely in places yesterday and though time is helping to stabilize things, we aren't out of the woods yet.

    This storm/wind slab on Mavericks yesterday broke widely and on a fairly low angle slope. The snowpack remains upside down and needs some more time to heal. (2/24/2026) Photo: Erme Catino

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures warmed through the recent storm creating an upside down situation that was then capped by rain and mixed forms which are now a crust up to about 8,000'.  Above 8,000', skiing conditions improve though snow is certainly dense. Wet loose slides below that elevation were observed yesterday though most were harmless and involved the upper six inches of the recent snow. Today's temperatures and wind should be cool enough to limit further wet activity but consider the destabilizing effect of sunshine on the upper snowpack in wind sheltered, confined and/or rocky terrain. A firm crust is present beneath the new snow on solar aspects which may not be entirely bonded to the recent storm snow.

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