Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Conditions remain dangerous at the mid and upper elevations in areas where last week’s new snow accumulated on old faceted snow layers. Yesterday afternoon a solo skier triggered a large slab avalanche outside of the boundary of Grand Targhee Ski Resort. That slide failed on a slope that had been previously skied. Widespread collapsing has been recently experienced by skiers in the backcountry. Two close calls occurred last week. Cautious route selection is recommended as avalanches can be triggered from below a slope as well as above. In terrain where the recent snow lies directly upon the ground, avalanches are not expected today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Buried crusts and persistent weak layers, comprised of faceted snow, exist in terrain that held snow prior to Sunday November 24th. This terrain generally includes all aspects above 9,500 feet and northerly slopes down to 8,000 feet. Skiers and riders venturing into these areas are likely to trigger slab avalanches that are one to three feet deep. Understanding and identifying where the old weak snow is present is essential in avoiding this hazard.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Friday will be dry with partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will fall into the teens and 20s tonight and rise into the 20’s and 30s during the day. Winds will remain light at 5 to 10 miles per hour with some higher gusts and will back from the northwest towards the southwest.The general avalanche hazard remains considerable in areas at the mid and upper elevations where new snow that has fallen since November 24 lies upon faceted old snow layers. In these areas large slab avalanches up to three feet in depth can be easily triggered by a single person on steep slopes. The general avalanche hazard is low in areas at the mid and lower elevations where the snow that has fallen since November 24 accumulated on bare ground.

Regions covered