Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

 Triggering a very large avalanche on weak snow buried 2.5-4' deep remains possible today. Notable human-triggered avalanche activity has occurred on steep slopes ranging from N-NE-E. Reduce your risk by sticking to gentler slopes, especially those sheltered from the wind. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Since 1/31, several feet of snow has fallen on a weak snow interface, in addition to rain at lower elevations and above-freezing temperatures up to 10,000 feet. This interface is now buried beneath a slab of snow that is 2.5-4 feet thick and, if triggered, can propagate across large distances. Human-triggered avalanche activity has most notably been observed on N-NE-E aspects. With the nature of the slab of snow above this weak layer, as well as the depth of burial, apparent signs of instability, such as cracking, collapsing, or recent natural avalanche activity, are not likely to present themselves before triggering a large avalanche.

    WORTH NOTING:

    • Almost every change in the book has/is occurring with the current snowpack (rapid loading, wind, warming, rain...). Weird weather creates weird avalanche patterns. Lots of uncertainty exists; give steep slopes time for things to buff out.
    • Activity on mid-storm snow and graupel layers has occurred, and though not a persistent layer, graupel can hang out on aprons, below cliff bands, and pop in surprising spots. 
    • The distribution of the 1/31 layer is variable but primarily shows its cards on the north half of the compass.  

    (2/3/2025)

    A large skier-triggered avalanche on a NE-facing slope at 9,400' south of JHMR. It likely failed within the new snow on a density break and was thickened by wind loading. 7 skiers were caught and carried. All members of the party survived the incident.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Yesterday, an additional ~8 inches of snowfall fell in the Tetons. Expect sensitive wind slabs up to a foot thick to form on lee aspects at middle and upper elevations.  The best way to avoid this problem is to avoid steep slopes or consequential terrain where you find indications of recent wind loading. Watch for snow that is denser than snow found on wind-sheltered slopes and tell-tale clues such as surface texture and a pillowed, drifted appearance. While these slabs will be small, they could knock you off your feet and have the potential to step down to the 1/31 interface. 

    (2/5/2025)

    This recent avalanche was noted in Eddington Canyon on a NE aspect. While likely on the 1/31 interface, areas seeing any wind-loading (even at middle elevations) present areas more likely to trigger an avalanche. 

    Photo: Dan Nagy

Avalanche Discussion

FEEDING THE RAT

Almost every change in the book has occurred within our snowpack since the beginning of February. This is a good time to look at the "Teton Considerable" mindset and redefine this rating back to its basic definition rather than have it hold the idea of confidence in the face of uncertainty. Each storm, each season, is different. And if we're stepping into the same familiar terrain with the same pattern without thinking of the different nuances each snowpack can hold in that terrain, on that specific day, under that rating, we're just feeding the rat. Human-triggered avalanches remain likely. Not many folks have entered the alpine recently, nor have many wanted to (wind, wildly bad skin glop, the list goes on).  Evidence is lacking in many forms as to how our weak snow will age. The good news is that the only thing weak snow generally needs is our patience. The weather is in flux, and change is happening at all elevations currently. Give the snowpack some time, and in the meantime, "feed the cat" by seeking some nice sheltered pow (where it hasn't blown away) and practicing patience with typical terrain choices. 

Regions covered