Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise as the day heats up and sunny conditions destabilize the snow surface. Loose snow avalanches are possible on steep slopes that face the sun. In addition, humans can still trigger a wind slab up to 18 inches deep in very steep and wind loaded terrain at the upper elevations. Avalanches today have the potential to knock you off your feet or drag you into a terrain trap. Carefully evaluate very steep wind loaded terrain and be prepared to move to shaded slopes if you observe wet snow or natural avalanche activity.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sunny conditions and mild temperatures will destabilize the snow surface as the day warms making loose snow avalanches possible on very steep south facing slopes. These avalanches could be triggered by humans or release naturally near exposed rocks/cliff bands. The likelihood of these slides is decreasing overtime with each warm day and cold night, yet still remains possible this afternoon during the heat of the day. While the majority of loose snow avalanches will be small today, these slides have the potential to entrain a significant amount of snow and some could grow large enough to bury a person. This is especially true for large south facing slopes that funnel into tight gullies. Monitor the snow surface conditions for wet snow as you travel today. Sinking into wet snow or observing natural loose snow avalanches are signs that the snowpack is becoming unstable and it is time to move away from sunny slopes.

    Cornices are large and could fail during the heat of the day. Give these features a wide margin today.

    A recent skier triggered wet loose avalanche in the Snake River Canyon. Expect avalanches like this to become possible later today on very steep, sunny slopes.

    (3/8/2025) Photo: Ben Martin

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs up to 18 inches deep exist in isolated terrain features at the upper elevations. Winds have shifted from east, to north, to west, making slab development possible on a variety of aspects. The likelihood of triggering a wind slab is decreasing, yet skiers and riders can still trigger an avalanche in very steep (>35°) and wind loaded terrain. Most wind slabs will be small, but could knock you off your feet in consequential terrain. Avoid very steep slopes with signs of wind loading such as dense drifts or cracking within the recent snow.

    Look for this type of wind slab on very steep convexities, around cliffs, and crossloaded terrain features like couloirs. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Another spring day is in store for the Snakes today. Mostly clear skies with temperatures a few degrees warmer than yesterday are expected today. Yesterday was the first full day of sun since the recent storm on March 6th that delivered over a foot of snow to the upper elevations of the Snake. As a result, many loose snow avalanches were reported in very steep and sunny terrain. See the observations here. Loose snow activity should decrease today, but will still be possible later in the day. Plan your travels accordingly and exit the mountains early, or stick to north facing slopes, to avoid dealing with wet snow problems.

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

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