Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche large enough to bury or injure you is possible in very steep terrain above 8500 feet. Wind loaded slopes are most dangerous, and avalanches could break larger than you expect. Be conservative with your decisions around and under steep wind loaded slopes. A lack of lower elevation snow continues to make getting into and out of the mountains hazardous.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Heavy snowfall and strong winds over the last week have created unstable conditions. Triggering a slab 1-4 feet deep in the recent snow is likely in wind loaded terrain at upper elevations today. This problem extends down into middle elevations in exposed wind loaded terrain. Warming temperatures could increase the sensitivity of recently formed slabs. Smaller wind slab formed within the last 72 hours have the potential  to step down and break wider than expected due to a widespread crust acting as a slippery bed surface in the middle of the snowpack. Shooting cracks and audible collapses are clear signs of unstable conditions. However, these signs may not be present before triggering. Be cautious around all steep terrain above 8500’.

     

    A large recent avalanche in heavily wind loaded terrain. 

    (12/20/2025)

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow that formed in November sits near the base of the snowpack. While triggering an avalanche at these layers is unlikely, the potential exists for avalanches failing in the upper portion of the snowpack to be large enough to break through the Dec 10th crust and create very large avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

The last week of storms has added significant weight to the snowpack. Slabs 2-4 feet deep have formed above a stout rain crust from December 10th. This rain crust now lies buried in the middle of the snowpack across all aspects up to 10,000’. Initial bonding between the Dec 10th crust and the new snow from this past week was good. Temperatures were mild and the snow was able to adhere to the crust. However, the snowpack is being pushed to its limit, and the weakest layers are likely to fail. This could happen at mid storm interfaces, or deeper, near the December 10th crust. Whichever weak layer might fail, the current setup could produce very large avalanches. Give the snowpack time to adjust.

If you are able to get out in the Salt or Wyoming Ranges, please share your observations here. Thanks!

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