Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche is possible today on very steep, and isolated terrain features where weak layers are buried in the middle and upper elevations. Knowing exactly where these weak layers exist is difficult without thorough snowpack assessment. Keep eyes on your partners and travel one at a time through avalanche terrain. Watch for small wind slabs in isolated terrain primarily at or above treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers buried Jan 1st exist across a scattered distribution around 2 feet deep. These weak layers are not widespread, but have been found in isolated terrain features (see the LaBarge avalanche fatality and Strawberry Creek as examples). For this reason, some slopes may appear stable while other slopes are not. To manage this uncertainty, use extra caution on steep, consequential terrain over 35° and above terrain traps of trees, cliffs, and gullies. No signs of instability will be present before triggering an avalanche. Open terrain sheltered from the wind where surface hoar can develop remains the most suspect. 

    Deeper in the snowpack, weak layers formed in December have become unreactive and difficult to trigger by a single rider. Large triggers, such as cornices or groups gathering in close proximity, could increase the potential to impact weak layers 3-5 feet deep.

    (1/12/2026)

    Snowmobile triggered Avalanche in La Barge Creek just east of Commissary Ridge that resulted in a fatality on 1/11/2026. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Four days of dry weather prior to January 1st created weak layers of facets and surface hoar in isolated locations across the vast forecast area. Some of these locations contain a crust below those weak, persistent grains. Multiple avalanches were triggered last week on those weak layers of concern, mainly in the southern portion of the Salt River Range. The common characteristics between these avalanches is not necessarily aspect or elevation, but terrain type. Terrain where surface hoar has a tendency to grow on slopes sheltered from the wind. This includes small gullies or large drainages. 

Use your best judgment to manage this level of uncertainty in your backcountry travel plans. Dig down and start tracking if and where these weak layers exist. Performing a stability test can significantly increase your understanding of a specific slope, but should not be relied upon solely for decision making. Rely on safe travel habits. The recent fatality in the southern Salt River Range is a sobering reminder that an isolated and relatively small avalanche in consequential terrain can have a tragic outcome.

The top of the snowpack has settled significantly and most new snow problems are unreactive. West to northwest wind increased over the last 48 hours that could have formed small, shallow slabs in isolated, wind loaded pockets in the upper elevations. These will likely not be large enough to bury a person, but could knock you off your feet or machine. Look for shooting cracks, hollow sounding snow, and fresh drifts as an indication of recent wind loading.

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