Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above 9,000 feet, persistent deep slabs remain the primary avalanche problem of concern. Backcountry travelers choosing to enter steep, active avalanche paths in terrain that held snow from early October are rolling the dice. You may get away with riding this terrain, but if you impact a shallow weak zone and trigger one of these slides, the consequences could be fatal. Make conservative terrain choices and come home to your friends and family this holiday season. In very steep, wind-loaded terrain above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders might still be able to trigger a pocket of wind slab up to 18 inches in depth.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    On northwesterly to northeasterly aspects above 9,000 feet, deep slabs lie upon faceted snow and hard crusts. A single skier or rider might still be able to impact this weak layer and trigger a very large, destructive avalanche with slab depths up to five feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to cause failure of this weak layer. Remember, previous tracks are not an indication of stability with a deep slab problem.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect mostly cloudy to overcast skies on Saturday as southwesterly flow brings a Pacific weather system and periods of snowfall to the region. Temperatures inversions will deteriorate, and daytime highs in the mountains will be in the mid 20s as the valleys rebound to near 30. Southerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.While the deep persistent weak layer is gaining strength, it will also receive a modest increase in load, and CONSIDERABLE avalanche hazard is still warranted. Lack of recent avalanche activity can lull people into complacency. Backcountry travelers that choose to enter steep, active avalanche paths in terrain that held snow from early October are rolling the dice. You may get away with riding this terrain, but if you impact a shallow weak zone and trigger one of these slides, the consequences could likely be fatal. Previous tracks are not an indication of stability with a deep slab problem, and large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to be able to impact this weak layer. Skiers and riders might still be able to trigger a pocket of wind slab up to two feet deep above 9,000 feet. With exception of very steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain, the snowpack is mostly stable below 9,000 feet.

Regions covered