Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The possibility for skiers and riders to trigger avalanches continues at the mid and upper elevations. Weak snow layers are widespread and well preserved. Snowpack evaluation can be helpful to identifying the layers of concern, however predicting failure is difficult as the snow may stable in one spot but thin/weak spots may exist mid slope. The near miss that occurred on Friday in the Tetons is reflective of the current avalanche danger and similar events are even more likely in the Southwest Trails region where the snowpack is weaker. (see observation page for avalanche event details).

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slabs lie over weak layers of snow that were formed in November. Slab depths to 4 feet are possible at the upper elevations with slabs of 2 to 3 feet possible in the upper portion of the mid elevations. These slabs are likely to be hard and could release to larger loads such as groups of people or when a thin spot on the slope is impacted. Avoid terrain that continues to receive new snow from wind transport. Avalanches at lower elevations are unlikely at this time.  

Avalanche Discussion

Mostly dry and cold conditions have been slowly making it less likely to trigger avalanches. The weak layers of concern, mainly focused on faceted snow that was covered on or before the 26th of November are widespread and avalanche activity earlier in December was also widespread. Although the sensitivity of these slabs have decreased, the problem is that areas of instability persist. Rocky areas that receive continued wind loading should be avoided but any steep slope could have weak points that if impacted, could result in large avalanches. Under this scenario, a few tracks do not indicate stability as they may have simply not hit the weak button. Practice safe travel techniques such as only exposing one person at a time and take a look into the snow to identify the presence of weak layers.

Regions covered