Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Large avalanches are unlikely. The highest chance of triggering large slides is on shady or wind-affected slopes at upper elevations, where weak snow exists near the base of the snowpack. Assess the snowpack you are moving in, particularly if riding in these areas. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Over the past week, a lack of significant loading has finally given the weak snow in the Greys some time to breathe. This weak snow exists in the bottom and middle of the snowpack (~1-3 feet deep) on slopes on the north half of the compass, but observations across the forecast area indicate that triggering a persistent slab avalanche is unlikely. In many locations, this snow lacks a slab in the avalanche recipe, particularly at lower elevations in the Greys, where the snowpack ranges from 1-2 feet total in depth. Warm and dry conditions last week gave these weak layers time to rest, but they did not magically disappear.

    You are most likely to find trouble on shady, unsupported slopes. Size up the slope before you ride it, and consider what would happen if you triggered a small slab. Would it drag you through shallow rocks or into a terrain trap?  Continue to trench your sled track or dig into the snow to see if the weak structure exists where you are riding. 

     

    (12/28/2023)

    Snowpack structure on an E aspect around 7,000 in the Snake River Range, which held plenty of weak snow but did not propagate in snowpit tests. 

    Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

Avalanche Discussion

Little recent avalanche activity has been noted in the Greys Zone for the past two weeks; however found unstable snow in the neighboring Big Holes on a NE aspect around 8,400 feet. This area was shallow and lacked a thick slab of snow capable of producing an avalanche currently, in this one location. The green LOW rating does not automatically mean "send it and don't worry about avalanches." The steep, alpine terrain in the Salts poses a significant risk of a larger avalanche due to more snow. In contrast, the Wyoming Range (where you can get to the snow) could hold the highest odds of triggering an avalanche due to a shallower snowpack in spots and overall variability. 

  • Read the forecast to understand where there are still avalanche concerns. LOW danger is "Watching for unstable snow on isolated terrain features." So, continue to do just that. 
  • Make plans that clearly define terrain that is "off-limits." Stick to your plan, and have an alternate if conditions are different than you expect.
  • Evaluate terrain carefully, and never stop paying attention to consequences. If you're considering riding a slope where triggering a slide would likely be fatal and push you into the numerous exposed hazards currently (rocks, stumps) OR small terrain features terminating in a creek or flat terrain that could result in a deep burial, you need to be very, very confident in the snowpack stability. 
  • Continue to use safe travel practices. If there's any question, choose lower consequence terrain. And remember, other people are hazards, too. LOW danger usually equals MORE people in avalanche terrain, generally using less caution. 

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