Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Heightened avalanche conditions exist on steep slopes above 8,000 feet that face west through north through east, where the weight of a rider could trigger a slab avalanche that breaks 2 to 4 feet deep, failing on weak snow formed in January. Signs of instability may not be present, so avoiding slopes that have buried weak layers is key. 

Pay attention to what the weather does today. If snow comes in with wind, you may be able to trigger shallow soft slab avalanches at upper elevations on wind loaded slopes or on slopes with a slick crust underneath. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Today, it is possible to trigger a hard slab avalanche that fails 2-4 feet deep and fails on buried weak snow. The January Drought Layer has been buried by three significant storms since early February. The snowpack has started to adjust, so warning signs such as cracking and collapsing may not be present, but the consequences of getting caught in one of these slides remain high. This layer exists above 8,000 feet on slopes that face west through north through east. The weight of a rider, or a small surface snow avalanche, could be enough to tip the scales and trigger one of these dangerous avalanches. Your best strategy to avoid flirting with this avalanche problem is to avoid steep slopes where the buried weak layer exists.

    Our most recent storm took a bit longer to settle than usual and has shown signs of instability in snowpits into yesterday. Avalanches have failed on the new snow/old snow interface 1-2 feet down. Very steep  north and easterly terrain at the middle and upper elevations is where you may be able to find this. These slides will be difficult to trigger, but it is something to keep on your radar.

    A very large skier triggered avalanche that occurred near Phillips Pass on 2/21/2026. The 5th rider on the slope triggered the smaller slab near the ridge that then triggered a much larger avalanche below the cliff band.

    ENE at 9,200'

     

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

We received a measly 2 to 4 inches of snow between January 10th and February 8th. This prolonged period of no snow was generally a bummer for riding conditions and felt pretty mild to us in terms of winter. But during this time the snowpack was undergoing a big change. These were ideal conditions for snow on shaded and protected slopes to weaken and metamorphose into facets. The change the snow surface underwent is significant and can’t be undone overnight, it takes time.

Right now we have added 3 to 4 feet of snow on top of the January Drought Layer (JDL) and have had active weather. These are ideal components to heal a snowpack, but like the time it took to form, it continues to take time to heal. As we move forward, the chance of triggering a persistent slab avalanche decreases, but the consequences if triggered remain just as high. One of the reasons that they become harder to trigger is that the JDL is buried deep enough that the weight of a rider isn't impacting and collapsing it. But we can’t count on that since it just takes finding a shallower spot above a rock or small tree to impact the whole slope.

This problem will go away in the coming weeks, but it's not there yet. If the persistent slab might exist on a slope, the best strategy we have is to keep slope angles low and avoid steep terrain.

Thanks to the parties that have submitted observations over the last week! If you see anything, please consider submitting an observation here.

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