Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

New snow and wind have made triggering an avalanche up to 18 inches deep possible in steep, wind loaded terrain at the upper elevations. Larger avalanches that fail on weak layers buried 2-4 feet deep are possible, and carry high consequences. Evaluate wind drifted snow carefully and be prepared to move to low angle terrain if you observe signs of instability such as cracking.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of snow are buried 2-4 feet deep in most mid and upper elevation locations. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche involving these weak layers is slowly decreasing, yet remains possible today in very steep terrain. Slopes on the north half of the compass are most suspect. A large natural avalanche involving these layers occurred on 1/7 and is good reminder of weak snow lurking below. The last human triggered avalanche involving these layers was reported on December 30th. Use extra caution around rocky, wind affected, and unsupported slopes as they are the places where a human is most likely to impact the weak layers buried below.

    It is important to increase your margin of safety given the uncertainty and high consequences associated with triggering a persistent slab avalanche. Traveling one at a time, stopping in islands of safety, and avoiding steep gullies or cliffs are all ways to increase your margins while traveling around avalanche terrain. However, riding terrain that is under 30° with no significant overhead hazard remains the best way to avoid this problem.

    (1/7/2025)

    Large persistent slab avalanche from earlier this week in the Snake River Range.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    The upper elevations of the Snake River range has received about a foot of new snow in the past 36 hours. Moderate to strong winds out of the northwest have redistributed this snow and formed soft slabs up to 18 inches deep on the leeward sides of ridges and slopes above 9,000’. These slabs will be most sensitive to the weight of a rider in very steep (>35°) and exposed starting zones. Be on the lookout for signs of wind loading including fresh drifts, textured surfaces, and hollow sounding snow. Shooting cracks indicate unstable snow. Be prepared to move to sheltered, low angle terrain if these conditions are observed.

    Small windslab at 8600' on an East aspect.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack in the Snake River range is deep, but weak snow can still be found below the surface. The early season brought minimal amounts of snow and generally cold temperatures. This helped to form weak layers of snow close to the ground. Beginning in mid December, storms deposited snow and created slabs on top of this weak snow. These slabs now range between 2-4 feet in depth. Obvious signs such as recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or collapsing may not present themselves prior to triggering. With the passage of time it becomes more difficult to trigger these deeper layers. Despite this improving trend, it is important to keep this problem on the radar. Patience is key when dealing with a persistent slab problem and today’s approach should be no different than yesterday.

Please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thank you to everyone who has submitted observations this season!

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