Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human-triggered avalanches are likely in wind affected terrain today. Slabs could be up to two feet deep or even thicker in heavily loaded areas. It is also becoming more likely to trigger a slab two or more feet deep where weak layers exist from around 8,000 to 9,500’ in elevation. Look for signs of cracking and wind-transported snow near ridge-tops and dig a quick pit to look for weak snow before committing to a slope. Remotely triggering a slab from a distance, below or from the side is also possible so be cautious in the terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Howling southerly winds built wind slabs one to two feet thick yesterday. More snowfall with moderate westerly winds will help build more slabs today. Look for signs of wind loading such as drifts and pillows across a slope or gully. In some areas, wind loaded snow will be falling on weak layers making the persistent slab problem even more dangerous. Slabs will be thickest in areas with a large southerly fetch and around the base of cliffs and steep rocky areas.

    (2/17/2026)

    This wind slab occurred yesterday in confined terrain that would funnel snow and make even a smallish avalanche dangerous.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Buried preserved surface hoar and facets have been sensitive to triggering for the last six days. Weak faceted snow beneath the surface hoar layer may become a bigger player today. Both types of weak snow are most prevalent from around 8,000’ up to about 9,500’ on northerly slopes, even in areas you would think were exposed to wind that would knock down the surface hoar. Most of this avalanche activity has occurred on surface hoar that grew in a spotty way in areas of the Snake River Range, and the south end and west side of the Tetons. Weak faceted snow that developed during the prolonged January drought exists in a more widespread pattern. Both of these layers are being stressed by new snow, especially where wind drifts pile up near ridgetops and on crossloaded slopes. There may not be warning signs like collapsing or cracking so dig to look for these weak layers.

    (2/17/2026)

    This avalanche  was triggered from nearby a skin track and failed on facets. t was around 18: thick. Similar avalanches today will break deeper.

Avalanche Discussion

Please share photos or a brief description of what you see in the mountains. Due to the scattered distribution of weak layers and generally weird weather this winter, these observations will help everyone recognize emerging patterns.

Regions covered