Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Recent snow combined with increased wind has added stress to buried weak layers where riders could trigger a large avalanche on very steep, isolated terrain. Smaller avalanches within the recent snow on wind loaded slopes above 9,000' are also possible. Give rocky, wind affected slopes a wide margin of safety today where both these avalanche problems exist. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow formed in November is buried 2-5 feet deep beneath hard slabs on mostly shaded aspects above 8,000. The chance of triggering these weak layers is unlikely in many areas. Areas of concern exist where the overlying slab is thinner and easier to impact the weak layer. This includes very steep, rocky, and wind affected slopes in the middle or upper elevations (complex terrain). Large triggers such as groups gathering in close proximity also increase the likelihood of impacting buried weak layers. Triggering new snow avalanches could also step down to the buried weak layers.

    A rider had a very close call December 31, 2025. This avalanche illustrates the difficulty in pinpointing where you can trigger deeper weak layers. Note that this seems to be a shallow area, making it easier to trigger a weak layer.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Northwest-west wind over the last 48 hours has formed shallow soft slabs from recent low density snow 1-2 feet deep. Wind slabs will be most obvious and easiest to trigger in exposed upper elevation terrain above treeline, but could exist down into the middle elevations. Look for wind loaded snow in abnormal locations due to the atypical wind direction. These could be off leeward ridgelines or cross-loaded open slopes. 

    (1/4/2026)

    Textbook example of cracking indicating a fresh wind slab. This is an obvious sign of unstable snow and warrants conservative terrain choices.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Around 6 inches of snow has fallen in the last 48 hours, with 20 inches since Jan 2nd. Wind increased yesterday with numerous observations in adjacent zones reporting shooting cracks and recent avalanches as obvious signs of instability. Keep an eye out for these clues today. Continued northwest to west wind up to 20 mph blew overnight along ridgelines. Identifying which slopes are potentially wind loaded will be critical to traveling safely through the mountains today. 

Deeper in the snowpack, weak snow formed in November has created a higher level of uncertainty. We have seen signs of these weak layers healing as the overlying slab gains strength. Give larger margins of safety in very steep wind loaded terrain as these weak layers adjust to the additional load from recent snow and wind. The avalanche in Maverick Creek is a good reminder of how even small slopes can have high consequences.

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