Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche failing on buried weak layers is possible in steep terrain. Signs of instability may not be present before these avalanches are triggered. For this reason, careful snowpack assessment and terrain management is necessary to manage this type of avalanche problem.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers formed earlier in the season are buried beneath hard slabs 2-3 feet deep. In heavily wind affected terrain, these slabs could be over four feet deep. These weak layers have persisted over time meaning that they can be triggered without additional snowfall or wind adding stress. Slopes where the overlying slab is thinner and easier to impact will be where human triggered avalanches are most likely. This includes heavily wind affected and scoured slopes in the alpine as well as steep, shallow slopes around creeks and gullies. The last human triggered persistent slab avalanche was three days ago in Maverick Creek.

     

    A rider had a very close call the day before yesterday, December 31, 2025. This avalanche illustrates the difficulty in pinpointing where you can trigger deeper weak layers. Note that this seems to be a shallow area, making it easier to trigger a weak layer.

Avalanche Discussion

Recent avalanches are a clear sign that the snowpack is unstable. The close call incident in Maverick creek a few days ago articulates the difficulty in managing the current persistent slab avalanche problem. Many slopes may appear stable and signs of instability are not present. But, riders still have the ability to impact the weak layers where the overlying slab is sensitive to triggering. This could mean that multiple tracks on adjacent slopes will not indicate stability. Togwotee has remained significantly colder than the other forecast zones and as a result the facets formed in November have been preserved making them easier to trigger. Warm temperatures earlier this week have changed the characteristics of the overlying slab and the snowpack is adjusting to that change. It is still early in the season. The best way to manage the problem is to give the mountains some extra time to heal before stepping into complex terrain. Travel one at a time and identify terrain complexity. 

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