Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human-triggered avalanches will become possible on sunlit slopes as the snowpack warms and becomes sloppy and wet today Heating will be most pronounced in steep, rocky terrain sheltered from the wind. Shady slopes continue to be suspect above 8,000' so dig and look for weak layers, with or without a nearby crust, before committing to steeper terrain.  Increasing cloud cover today may shade slopes and keep south facing slopes icy but more stable.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    The snowpack has gained significant strength with the recent warm days and freezing nights. The widespread natural avalanche cycle on solar aspects seems to have peaked 2 days ago with only a few new avalanches in the region reported yesterday.  Persistent weak layers may have become more difficult to trigger, but could still produce a large avalanche in locations warmed significantly by the sun and at higher elevations that have stayed cool the past few days.  Lower elevation slopes have become much more stable due to the past three days of warm temperatures. Triggering an avalanche there has become unlikely. 

    (1/31/2024)

    Hard slab avalanche on SW aspect at 9400' near Sheep Creek Peak

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

Spring-like conditions continue today as June-uary weather stretches into February. Skiers who timed things right yesterday found spring corn on sunny slopes before surfaces got too mushy while soft-dry powder riding remained in shady areas. Today is another good day to go observe the havoc that the thaw brought to the mountains and the surface hoar that has developed at night.  That layer may become our next weak layer to track after new snow arrives tonight and continues over the weekend. 

Continue to ride mindfully and remember the basics that increase your margin of safety.

  • Ride one at a time on steep slopes and keep an eye on your partner.
  • Use safe zones to regroup. Be sure they are actually safe.
  • Everyone in your group should have a beacon, probe and shovel and know how to use it. Everyone.
  • Avoid riding on steep slopes above terrain traps like trees and creek beds.
  • Exit sunny slopes when snow becomes wet and slushy. 

Regions covered