Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

Highlights

Multiple human- and machine-triggered avalanches occurred yesterday in this and adjacent zones. Avalanches will be likely today on slopes above 8,000', especially on north and northeast aspects, though east- and west-facing slopes are also suspect. Your best strategy to avoid being buried by an avalanche is to stay off of and out from under steep terrain where weak layers exist. Wet snow on sunny slopes may lead to wet loose avalanches, possibly large ones.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

     The added weight of recent snow had made buried weak layers formed in January even more reactive. Slab depths have been 2-4 feet deep, have been triggered remotely , and remain widespread above about 8,000'. The best way to avoid triggering a persistent slab avalanche right now is to avoid steep terrain. Even small slopes now have slabs thick enough to bury you, especially over a terrain trap. See this observation which shows of about 100 avalanches observed yesterday, including two snowmobile tiggered avalanches. 

    (2/26/2026) High Mtn Heli Recon flight

    Widespread natural activity previous 24-48 hours. Both storm and persistent slabs all aspects. PWL favors N, E. D1-D3, R1-R3.  ~100 avalanches observed.  Observed 2 snowmobile triggered avalanches (HS-AM-R1-2, D1-2, O down 80cm triggered 2/26.  One avalanche released remote to the explosive placement.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Extreme winds formed wind slabs down to 8,500' just over 48 hours ago.  These slabs are sitting on a variety of surfaces from crusts to weak faceted snow. Temperatures will be warmer today making these more sensitive to triggering. You'll see large wind pillows, cornices and wind sculpted and pressed surfaces widley across the terrain. Large weak snow crystals from the start of the most recent storm that lie beneath these slabs are not yet settled and rounded. 

    Wet avalanches: Solar aspects, especially near rocks, may spawn wet loose slides large enough to be dangerous. While south-facing slopes at lower elevations have mostly melted off, mid-elevations above the rain-line (8,000') that were in the clouds yesterday may get loosened by today's warm sunshine. Keep an eye on snow surfaces. Wet and mushy signals danger.

     

     

    (2/26/2026)

    Widespread natural activity previous 24-48 hours. Both storm and persistent slabs all aspects. PWL favors N, E. D1-D3, R1-R3.  ~100 avalanches observed.  Observed 2 snowmobile triggered avalanches (HS-AM-R1-2, D1-2, O down 80cm triggered 2/26.  One avalanche released remote to the explosive placement.

Avalanche Discussion

Skiers and riders have wisely stepped back in their terrain choices during and after the last storm. We are still gathering evidence about the nature of the current persistent slab avalanche problem.  We do know some important factors. Over an inch of water weight was just added to this thick layer of 1mm facets, stability tests show propagation and most importantly, many recent avalanches have occurred, both natural during the storm as well as human-triggered ones just yesterday. This snowpack should have your hackles up.

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