Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist above 8,000 feet due to rapid loading of heavy, dense snow with strong wind. Human triggered avalanches are likely in wind loaded terrain and steep slopes as the snowpack adjusts to recent storms. Cautious route-finding is essential to steer clear of avalanche-prone terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Heavy snowfall over the last 6 days combined with sustained southwest wind 20-40 mph has formed stiff wind slabs 1-4 feet deep in the middle and upper elevations. Significant snowfall of up to 16 inches with nearly 2 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE) fell over the last 48 hours. Avalanches could break on storm interfaces, or deeper on a widespread rain crust. Due to the well-connected nature of the underlying crust, avalanches are capable of breaking wide and running far downslope. Signs of instability such as shooting cracks may not be as obvious today. Avalanches could behave as wet snow due to the warm temperatures below ~8,500 feet. 

    Triggering a large avalanche within the recent snow could step or gouge down to weaker snow formed in November. Steep, rocky, and wind-affected terrain is the most suspect.

    (12/22/2025)

    Large explosive triggered avalanche the morning of Dec 22nd on Teton Pass that covered both lanes and ran full path.  

Avalanche Discussion

A very large avalanche in Glory Bowl was triggered by explosives and ran full path across Teton Pass yesterday. This is a clear sign of the dangerous conditions that exist in the backcountry. Give steep terrain a wide margin of safety, especially on wind loaded terrain where avalanches are more likely. The forecast area has received nearly 6 inches of SWE since December 17th. Snow does not like rapid change. Especially rapid change from strong and windy loading events on a well connected, hard bed surface. Below all this recent snow sits a widespread rain and rime crust formed December 10th found on all aspects up to at least 10,000’. There’s a lot of variability in how this rain/rime crust is bonding to recent snow (Check this observation for more information). Regardless of how this snow is bonding to the crust, a lot of weight has been added to a well connected bed surface. The good news is that the dense snow and warm temperatures will benefit stability over time. Warm temperatures during the initial loading were also beneficial. We just have to wait.

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