Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Highlights

New snow and wind have created dangerous avalanche conditions at upper elevations.Triggering an avalanche in steep wind loaded terrain is likely. Deep weak layers with potential to cause a very large avalanche remain an unlikely threat but are being tested with new snow. Use caution around steep, wind loaded slopes and look for drifting, shooting cracks and collapsing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and wind have formed sensitive wind slabs up to 2 feet deep above 8,500 feet. These slabs exist on multiple aspects. Wind slabs will continue to build throughout the day with several inches of forecasted snow and increasing westerly wind. Steep slopes below ridges, around cliffs, and cross-loaded gullies are typical areas of wind loading.

    (12/27/2025)

    Shooting cracks are a clear sign of unstable snow. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak layers are buried 2-6 feet deep throughout the forecast area. It remains unlikely that you will impact these layers, however, new snow and wind are adding stress to the snowpack and increasing the possibility of triggering a very large avalanche. This problem is most dangerous on very steep wind loaded slopes above 8,000 feet. Watch for large triggers like heavy wind loading, new snow avalanches, snowmobiles, and cornice falls - all of which could impact buried weak layers and cause a very large and destructive avalanche. 

    A large persistet slab avalanche observed after the Christmas storm cycle in very steep, complex terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

The last three days have produced about a foot of new snow in the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges, with about an inch of SWE (snow water equivalent). Winds continue to load leeward aspects and the snowpack is adjusting to an increasing load. Snowfall will be mostly light today before picking up again tonight. Pay attention to changing conditions today. There is plenty of recent snow available for wind transport. Determining which slopes are being loaded when you’re out there today. While unlikely, triggering an avalanche on weak layers at the base and middle of the snowpack is a possibility. The 12/26 crust is buried up to 2 feet deep and has been observed up to 10,000 feet in the Snake River Range with weak grains above it. We haven’t seen activity on this layer, but recent loading continues to test the snowpack.

Small avalanches in new snow could easily knock you off your feet or snowmobile, especially above consequential terrain. Watch for red flags that point to increasing avalanche danger - heavy snowfall, blowing snow, recent avalanches, cracking, collapsing... Or, just give yourself a healthy margin around and under steep, wind loaded slopes, particularly on the north half of the compass, while giving the snowpack time to adjust.

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