Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

 Avalanche danger will rise throughout the day as another storm system moves in. By the end of the day, human triggered avalanches will be likely on steep, wind loaded slopes. It is possible to trigger a dangerous avalanche 2-4 feet deep that fails on weak snow formed in November. Carefully evaluate terrain and use conservative decision making as the day progresses.

If snow rates intensify before sunset, dial back terrain choices, as avalanche danger will have risen.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    By the end of the day, wind slabs on leeward slopes will be sensitive to the weight of a rider, especially at upper elevations on slopes facing northwest through east and southeast. Look for fresh, pillowy looking snow and pay attention to where the wind is actively transporting snow. Avoid these slopes if they are steep. A wind slab avalanche could overload buried weak layers and break deeper and wider than you might expect. Shooting cracks around your skis or sled are a sign that a slope is unstable. 

    (12/23/2025)

    Recent avalanche in heavily wind-loaded terrain.

    North aspect, likely released during peak wind speeds on 12/23

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow formed in November is buried 2-4 feet deep near the bottom of the snowpack. Unseasonable warm temperatures over the last couple of days, along with incoming snow today, will continue to stress these layers. An avalanche breaking into old snow could be large enough to bury or injure a rider. As weak snow is buried deeper, feedback such as shooting cracks and collapsing becomes less frequent, but the danger still exists. For now, avoid steep slopes with northerly and easterly aspects.

    (12/22/2025)

    A snowmobile triggered avalanche that likely failed on weak snow from November. 

Avalanche Discussion

Weak snow buried in November is still of concern. We have seen avalanches failing on these persistent weak layers in the last week in both exposed, wind affected terrain and sheltered, wooded terrain. This illustrates the widespread nature of the avalanche problem.

Some snowpits and slope testers are not producing failures on this layer everywhere, but for now it only takes finding a shallow spot in the snowpack where the weight of a rider can impact the weak layer, causing an avalanche to fail 2-4 feet deep.

The good news is that continued snowfall and moderate temperatures promote strengthening of the weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack. This process takes time but is slowly happening. For now, the snowpack needs some space while it adjusts.

Regions covered