Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

New snow and wind have made triggering an avalanche 1-2 feet deep likely in very steep, wind loaded terrain above 9,000’. The recent snow is also stressing buried weak layers and increasing the chances of triggering a deeper avalanche. Conservative terrain selection and avoiding steep, wind loaded slopes is recommended today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Up to a foot of new snow has fallen over the past 24 hours in the Togwotee area. Moderate winds have shifted from the southwest to the north during this period forming slabs 1-2 feet deep on a variety of aspects in the upper elevations. These slabs could be sensitive to the weight of a rider in very steep terrain. While less likely, older wind slabs with depths up to 3 feet could be triggered in heavily loaded areas along ridgelines and near the base of cliffs given the snowfall and wind over the past 3 days. In addition, loose snow sluffing or very soft strom slabs may be found in very steep terrain that is sheltered from the wind. Be on the lookout for signs of instability within the new snow including cracking and recent avalanche activity. If these signs are present, then it is a good idea to seek out gentler terrain. Giving very steep and wind loaded features a wide margin is the best way to manage this problem today.

    (3/15/2025)

    A small wind slab in northwest facing terrain at 9,600’.  Similar avalanches could be triggered in steep terrain today.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of sugary facets exist in the middle of the snowpack and near the ground on most slopes. Avalanches involving these layers will be 2-3 feet deep, and up to 5 feet deep on heavily wind affected slopes. Triggering one of these dangerous avalanches is possible on very steep slopes over 35 degrees. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches may not be present before triggering a large avalanche capable of propagating long distances. Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate stability with this problem type. Suspect terrain includes very steep, rocky, and/or wind affected slopes where thin spots exist making it possible for humans to impact buried weak layers.

    New snow and wind are stressing these buried weak layers and increasing the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche. Wind slabs triggered on the surface could step down to deeper weak layers resulting in a larger avalanche than expected.

    The last human triggered persistent slab avalanche occurred on March 2nd in terrain similar to this.

    Photo: Dakota Richardson

Avalanche Discussion

If you see avalanche activity or would like to help inform our forecasts, please consider submitting an observation HERE. You can also text what you see to us at 307-264-3050.

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