Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche remains possible on weak layers buried 2-3 feet above 8300’ elevation. Stack the odds in your favor and maintain large safety margins by steering clear of steep slopes that are shaded or rocky where the highest possibility of triggering an avalanche exists.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Significant variability in the snowpack exists throughout the forecast zone. The persistent slab problem exists in locations where snow has been preserved since November forming a weak layer that is now buried 2-3 feet deep below firm, cohesive slabs. In general, this weak, sugary snow structure exists above 8300’ and will be most reactive on shaded aspects (NW-N-NE). As this layer trends more stubborn adjusting to the current load, the possibility still exists to trigger an avalanche. The best way to manage this problem is to choose terrain away from steep, rocky, and complex slopes where you are most likely to encounter those thin and sensitive areas of the snowpack. Riding across one of those thin, sensitive areas could collapse the weak layer and trigger a large/destructive avalanche. Hence why previous tracks do not indicate slope stability with this type of problem.

    (12/15/2023)

    Here is a good example of steep, rocky, and complex terrain where persistent slab avalanches are possible. 

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

Thinking in Bets

Obvious signs of instability such as collapsing have become less frequent as these weak layers are slowly adjusting to the current load. Without these signs, it’s easy to get caught in a false sense of security. But the snowpack structure is still scary and could produce a deep, wide avalanche. So during times like these I tend to think in bets. Although the probability of triggering a destructive avalanche has been decreasing, the consequences remain the same. Is that something I want to bet on? Heck no. So instead I stack the odds in my favor by creating large safety margins. Safety margin refers to the decisions your group makes while traveling in the backcountry. So for these current conditions, some good safety margins include steering clear of rocky, complex terrain where those thin spots could be easily triggered. Additionally, knowing that shaded slopes are most reactive, I’d avoid even those small slopes on shaded aspects especially above terrain traps where an avalanche could pull out near the ground and still bury a person. And as always, riding slopes one at a time while carrying proper working avalanche equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) are all decisions you can make to enhance your safety margins.

In addition snow coverage remains thin, so be aware of obstacles lurking just beneath the snow surface.

Regions covered