Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
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Highlights

Dangerous conditions continue in Togwotee. You are likely to trigger a slab 2-3 feet thick in steep terrain, and possibly from a distance. Conditions are most dangerous in areas affected by wind and in the southern parts of this zone where more snow has fallen. Shooting cracks or collapses can signal the potential for an avalanche but suspect any steep slope.  Limit your exposure to steep slopes avoid riding on or under slopes with a terrain trap below.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Togwotee has received 8 inches to over a foot of snowfall and shifting winds over the past week. New snow has formed soft slabs that may slide without a human trigger and will be easy to trigger in steep terrain, especially in wind affected terrain. Cracking or collapsing in the new snow, cornices, and wind drifts all indicates the potential for an avalanche. Instabilities in the latest snowfall hold the potential to step down and trigger larger and more dangerous avalanches.  Check out recent  observations here and here for more. 

    (2/7/2024) Large mid-storm avalanche at 10,000 feet on Togwotee Pass. We also found unstable snow in pit results around 9,000 feet on an E aspect.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    New snowfall and wind makes older deep layers in the snowpack more susceptible to natural and human triggering. While trending less likely, skiers and riders can trigger large hard slab avalanches failing on weak snow that persists in the middle of the snowpack. Slabs can be triggered 2-3 feet thick on steep slopes today, particularly in areas seeing greater amounts of wind. Your weight may more easily impact this weak snow at mid-elevations, where the slab is thinner, or in rocky and wind-affected areas. These can be triggered by the first rider or even after many tracks are on a slope. These avalanches have the potential to propagate longer distances and include an entire slope. The best way to manage this problem is by choosing lower-angled slopes and smaller terrain features without terrain traps. 

    Double propagation!

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

Avalanche Discussion

The thin and weak snowpack that exists in Togwotee area doesn't take much  stress or strain to produce an avalanche. This latest round of snowfall combined with wind today is likely to provoke this unstable snowpack. Snowfall amouts are highly variable across our forecast zones but the trend has been for the Teton and Gros Ventre to catch the most snow. Look for deeper snow and increased instability in the southern portion of the Togwotee forecast zone.

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