Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Recent snow and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions above 8000’. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep wind loaded slopes. Wind slabs sit atop a slick crust, meaning they could break wider and run further than expected. Avoid steep wind load slopes, ridgelines, or steep gullies where you are most likely to trigger a slide.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Since Thursday 12-14” of snow has fallen with strong SW and W winds. These are ideal conditions to form sensitive slabs that could fail in lower density snow 1-3 feet below the surface that has a slick connected crust below it which means avalanches could break wider and run far.

    If active wind loading isn’t present, look for fresh cornices above slopes, cracking around your skis, or snow that feels upside down or slabby. 

    (12/8/2025)

    Watch for cracking in new drifts.

    Photo: BTAC

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow was formed in November and is now buried 2-4 feet deep. The odds of triggering one of these slides was decreasing, but the recent load of snow will stress these layers. Until the snowpack adjusts to the new load avoiding steep, rocky, wind loaded terrain at the mid and upper elevations. An avalanche failing within the new snow could step down into the November layers, causing an avalanche to break below recent snow and connect across terrain features.

    Avalanche in steep wind loaded terrain at upper elevation, breaking into buried weak layers.

    Photo: BTAC

Avalanche Discussion

The crust below the recent snow is the wildcard. In some places it seems that the snow has bonded well, but if it hasn’t it could be a dangerous surface to enable avalanches to accelerate quickly and have a broad crown. 

While avalanche hazard remains elevated, the good news is that this additional snow and water weight is working to heal deeper weak layers. Given time, and more snow, these problems will move into the rearview, but we are not there just yet.

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