Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Human triggered avalanches up to 3 feet deep are likely in steep terrain above 7,500’. Triggering an avalanche is most likely on steep sheltered slopes or in wind affected terrain. Remotely triggering avalanches on steep slopes around you while travelling on connected low-angle terrain is possible. Give steep and consequential terrain a wide margin today and avoid terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow is buried 1-2 feet below the surface. Triggering an avalanche large enough to bury a person is likely in steep, sheltered and shaded terrain above 7,500’. Recent snow is stressing weak layers and increasing the likelihood of a rider triggering a large avalanche. Sheltered, northerly-facing slopes harbor the weakest snow and are the most dangerous. You may not see signs of instability like recent avalanches or hear collapsing before triggering a large avalanche. Remotely triggering a large avalanche above you on steep slopes is a real possibility like this example from Togwotee. Evaluate steep avalanche terrain carefully today.

    Slopes that are wind-loaded and harbor buried weak layers will be the most dangerous today. These two problems can overlap mostly above 9000 feet on shady and leeward slopes.

    This recent avalanche from the Snake River Range is a good example of the persistent slab problem that we are dealing with. Note the wide propagation across slope.

    (2/17/2026)

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate south and west winds have redistributed recent snow to multiple aspects and formed wind slabs up to 2.5 feet deep. These slabs may be sensitive to the weight of a rider in steep, wind-loaded terrain today. Wind slabs have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers in very steep terrain on the north half of the compass. If this occurs, avalanches may break deeper and wider than expected. Look for drifts and shooting cracks to indicate unstable snow.

    (2/17/2026)

    Wind slab release on a small test slope.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Skies are forecast to clear this afternoon, and the sun could make a strong appearance. If this happens, monitor for heating snow surfaces and loose snow shedding on steep slopes facing the sun.  Look for rollerballs originating near steep rocky outcrops and be mindful of overhead hazard. Loose snow avalanches could entrain more snow than you expect.

Carefully evaluate steep slopes on the north half of the compass between 8,000’ and 9,500’. Weak snow left from the January drought remains buried in these locations. Dig down to see if you can find sugary, faceted snow. Perhaps more of a concern are areas of buried surface hoar with a similar distribution. Regardless, recent human-triggered avalanches in surrounding zones have shown that the persistent slab problem exists in these locations. In areas where the wind slab problem overlaps the persistent slab problem, expect an increased likelihood of triggering, and give yourself a margin of safety around steep slopes. 

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