Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Keep an eye out for unstable snow in isolated areas of steep, wind loaded, upper elevation terrain where small and shallow avalanches may be triggered. Otherwise, mostly stable avalanche conditions exist. Practice safe travel habits and assess the snowpack to account for the uncertainty of deeper weak layers if traveling into very steep, consequential terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow formed in December is buried by hard slabs 2-5 feet deep. The possibility of triggering an avalanche on these weak layers near the ground is very unlikely across the majority of terrain. The last reported avalanche occurred 27 days ago. Due to poor snowpack structure, there is a slight possibility that an outlier avalanche event could occur in isolated terrain. This would most likely be in terrain steeper than 35° on convex, unsupported slopes that are rocky and wind affected. Any combination of these characteristics often harbors shallower snow and increases the likelihood of impacting weak layers buried near the ground.

    (12/31/2025)

    This was the last reported persistent slab avalanche that resulted in a partial burial. 

Avalanche Discussion

Togwotee received around 3 inches of snow over the weekend that was accompanied by enough westerly wind to form shallow, soft wind slabs less than 6 inches deep. These wind slabs were reactive two days ago and are becoming more stubborn today. Look for obvious signs of wind loaded slopes including shooting cracks and stiff or drifted snow. This is most likely above the treeline. Although not large enough to bury a person, these avalanches could knock you off your feet or machine.

Deeper in the snowpack, weak basal facets have adjusted to the overlying hard slab and are becoming very difficult to impact. As the slab and weak layers gain strength over time, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche decreases. This process is slow and takes time. For this reason, we are not 100% sure that an outlier avalanche could not occur, hence why we have kept the persistent slab problem on the forecast. Idenitfy areas of increased exposure to this problem and evaluate the snowpack beforehand. Slopes above terrain traps should always warrant caution. 

Prior to the slight snowfall over the weekend, the forecast area had been dry for nearly 2 weeks. Weak layers of facets, surface hoar, and crusts developed on the snow surface during this period. If you are venturing into the backcountry, start tracking where these weak layers exist beneath the recent snow. Depending on the characteristics of the next significant storm, these layers could create problems whenever it starts snowing again. Consider submitting an observation to help keep everyone informed on backcountry conditions. We receive relatively few public observations in this zone. 

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