Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Unstable wind drifted snow formed from the storm yesterday exists in exposed, upper elevation terrain. Look for obvious signs of wind loading such as large drifts, pillows, or shooting cracks. Although far less likely, very large avalanches failing on buried weak layers could be triggered on very steep and complex terrain where signs of instability will not be present.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Up to 10” of recent snow combined with westerly wind formed fresh slabs 1-2 feet deep yesterday. These wind slabs will be isolated to steep terrain exposed to the wind such as open ridgelines or above treeline. The storm primarily impacted the Salt River Range which is where this problem is most relevant. 

    Small wet loose avalanches within the recent snow will be possible above ~7500'-8,000' due to warm temperatures. Watch for these avalanches around terrain traps, such as gullies, or large sustained slopes.

    (12/27/2025)

    Shooting cracks are a clear sign of unstable snow. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Large natural avalanches occurred last week after a series of storms produced significant loading and stress to multiple weak layers of crusts and facets. These weak layers are buried beneath hard slabs anywhere from 2-6 feet deep. Although very unlikely, the possibility of triggering a large, destructive avalanche cannot be ruled out. As the snowpack adjusts to the current load and temperature fluctuations promote healing, steeper and more complex terrain will be where these avalanche events could occur. Rocky and wind affected slopes over 35° are most suspect where large triggers such as cornice falls or new snow avalanches may be necessary to initiate a very large avalanche.

    (12/31/2025)

    A large persistet slab avalanche observed after the Christmas storm cycle in very steep, complex terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday’s storm produced heavy, dense snow in the upper elevations with rain in the lower to middle elevations. This has become a common theme this winter for storms tracking across our region. Multiple crusts have formed within our snowpack as a result of these warm, rain events across all elevations (December 10th and 26th). Avalanches have failed on these weak layers of crusts during rapid loading events. Over time, these avalanches become harder to trigger. This is the situation we are currently dealing with. There’s a lot of terrain where you may not trigger a large avalanche. But, if you do find it the consequences will be severe. It’s still early in the season and there’s a lot of uncertainty in the snowpack. Access to terrain remains difficult due to low snow coverage in many places. Observations have been very limited in this forecast zone. The best way to manage the problem is to give the mountains some extra time to heal before stepping into complex terrain.

Regions covered