Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Don't charge into the backcountry and jump on steeper terrain just because the weather is more friendly and periods of sunshine allow for improved visibility.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible today in the form of shallow wind slabs or potentially as larger avalanches involving old weak snow layers and crusts.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Soft slabs formed by recent snow and wind from varying directions could be triggered with depths up to 2 feet in very steep terrain near cliff areas and ridge crests.  Watch for obvious signs of previous wind loading and  avoid high consequence  terrain where a small wind slab could carry someone into rocks or over a cliff edge.

    (1/4/2026)

    Textbook example of cracking indicating a fresh wind slab. This suggests the slope below could be unstable if steep.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2.5

    The possibility for a single skier or rider to trigger an avalanche involving old crusts and faceted snow is low, however failure could still occur from large triggers such as a cornice fall or a group of people or possibly if an isolated weak and thin spot on a slope is impacted.  If triggered these hard slabs are likely to fail on layers buried on Christmas that are 2 to 4 feet deep.  Once initiated they could then involve deeper snow to the ground.

Avalanche Discussion

Cold temperatures and time have strengthened the surface slabs and made them less sensitive to failure. Even during yesterday's wind and snowfall, wind slabs were fairly unreactive. Clearer skies following a storm typically lures people into more aggressive terrain which is where unstable snow may still be found. In the Teton and Snake River forecast areas, the deeper instabilities are becoming less and less likely to fail but some observations still indicate that failure within the old snow remains possible. 

Please consider submitting an observation here if you are out riding/skiing today. Observations can be as simple as a photo and help us produce a better forecast. Thank you

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