Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a slab avalanche remains possible, and the resulting slide could involve most of the winter’s snowpack. Continue to make your terrain selections accordingly and be alert to the consequences of being caught in a slide where you are traveling.  Avalanches are unlikely below 9,000, where the avalanche danger is low.  Evaluate complex terrain features carefully and practice safe travel habits in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    This zone has been the "not-so-sweet spot" for the persistent slab problem. The faceted snow near the ground has been especially weak here, and the 1.5-3'+ thick slab is both thick enough that it's getting harder to produce large avalanches, but thin enough that our weight can impact the weak layer. Though time is decreasing the likelihood of triggering a large avalanche, take a minute to look at the snow structure of what you are riding and where that problem snow can be found on the problem diagram above. If you're finding weak snow at the base of the snowpack under your skis or sled, it's best to steer clear of any steep slopes--even if these may appear unsuspectingly small, like the steep creeksides and gullies that are common around Togwotee. This is a low probability but very high consequence setup. 

    (1/16/2025)

    An example of terrain where persistent slab avalanches are most likely.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Though splashes of green (Low danger) have appeared over the past couple of days, conditions remained uncertain. In this zone, we're much more hesitant, and the current setup will warrant caution through the spring. Why?

  1. The weak layers are proven. Avalanches failed on weak layers near the surface and at the ground during any change in weather conditions.  
  2. The weak layers are ugly. Sugary facets remain weak and continue to produce unstable snowpack test scores. 
  3. The weak layers are well distributed. Due to the higher elevation, older snow from earlier in the season is located in more terrain than in neighboring zones. 
  4. More trigger points exist. This zone has seen enough snow to build a slab over time that buries weaker snow deeply, but not enough to completely armor the weak layer from the impact of our weight. 

Want to learn more about how triggering a persistent slab avalanche from a thin spot works? Check out this sweet video made by a seasoned avalanche professional.

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