Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The combination of recent snow and wind has built slabs 1-2 feet thick. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche in terrain that has been affected by recent winds. Steer clear of pillows, dunes of snow, and cornices. There is a possibility that slides could break into buried weak layers, producing a more dangerous avalanche—be prepared to scale back your terrain choices.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slabs overlying weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep remain possible to trigger on very steep slopes over 35°. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches may not be present before triggering a large, dangerous avalanche capable of propagating far across or upslope. Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate that a slope is stable. Stick to lower consequence terrain away from terrain traps and rocky, convex, steep slopes today.

     

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snowfall has been transported and compacted by strong westerly winds (gusting 60+ mph!) Returning to Avalanches 101: new snow + wind = wind slab avalanches. You may encounter stubborn wind drifts throughout the day along higher-elevation ridges and open terrain. While these fresh wind drifts might not be that big today, they may be easily triggered by your weight. Expect to find these slabs along ridgelines and adjacent to cross-loaded terrain features. Look for signs of the wind at work and avoid these areas. If you are traveling through the terrain here and find that the snow depth is increasing or that the new snow is becoming denser, you've likely found a wind slab. Cracking in these fresh drifts is a clear sign of instability. Many of these slabs will be on the smaller side, but some may be large enough to bury you in the right terrain. 

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION

    Skies look overcast today, but if cloud cover parts earlier, expect steep south-facing terrain (especially below 7,500') to develop wet, loose snow rapidly. 

    (2/24/2025)

    An example of where you could encounter a wind-slab problem today is steep, connected terrain at upper elevations. 

Avalanche Discussion

 Active weather will continue today with an additional 2-4 inches of snowfall and strong westerly winds. Slopes with winded snow should remain on your radar, in addition to the larger, deeper problems that linger. The likelihood of triggering a larger avalanche increases as the slope angles increase and when significant triggers (groups, multiple snowmobiles, cornices) hit thin spots in the slab. Thin spots exist on the boundaries of terrain that have been impacted by the wind and are more problematic when the snowpack connects to thicker slabs within that same terrain. In periods of improving stability, it remains important to follow safe travel practices despite a lack of general avalanche activity. Travel one at a time in steep terrain, avoid stopping in the runout of avalanche paths, and communicate with your partners throughout the day. Today, it will also be possible to encounter recent snowfall sluffing from steep terrain and wind slabs ~1 foot in depth in exposed terrain. 

This past month has slowly increased the snow depth across the board, and time has helped weaker snow adjust to the weight of the slab on top of it. There's been plenty of good riding to be had. After the initial effects of this storm,  surface instabilities within the new snowfall will likely taper off quickly until the skies clear. Expect conditions to become more sensitive with warm temperatures and sunny skies on the horizon.       

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