Lionhead Area

Without recent snow, the snowpack has had a break from constant heavy loading, and large avalanches breaking deep in the snowpack are unlikely. However, the persistent slab avalanche problem remains worth keeping in mind. Remain cautious of wind-loaded slopes near high ridgelines where snow depth is variable, and you might hit a shallow spot and affect the weak layer. Allow only one rider at a time on steep slopes while a partner watches from a safe spot, and make sure everyone is carrying functional rescue gear of a beacon, shovel, and probe.

Avalanche danger is LOW in most of the forecast area, with the exception of upper elevations in the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone where avalanche danger is MODERATE.

The last major snowfall ended over a week ago, and on Tuesday 1-2” fell near Bozeman, Big Sky, and Cooke City. Over the past week, winds have drifted all the snow they could find into thicker slabs. These small wind slabs have had time to stabilize, but there might be one or two that could still be triggered by a person. Be on the lookout for drifted snow if you venture into terrain where a small slide could have big consequences, like above cliffs or steep, rocky slopes. This observation from Hyalite yesterday is a good example of the type of terrain to be cautious.

Without recent snow, the snowpack has had a break from constant heavy loading, and large avalanches breaking deep in the snowpack are unlikely. However, this persistent slab problem remains worth keeping in mind near West Yellowstone where the last persistent slab avalanches were a week ago in the Lionhead area (observation). In the Southern Madison and Southern Gallatin Ranges it has been three weeks since the last persistent slab avalanches (observation). The persistent slab avalanche problem probably won’t show warning signs like collapsing, or unstable snowpack test results, so terrain choice and following normal safe travel protocols are your best strategies to stay safe. Remain cautious of wind-loaded slopes near high ridgelines where snow depth is variable and you might hit a shallow spot and affect the weak layer (Mark’s video from Island Park and my video from Lionhead). Allow only one rider at a time on steep slopes while a partner watches from a safe spot, and make sure everyone is carrying functional rescue gear of a beacon, shovel, and probe.