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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

At the upper elevations, skiers and riders have the potential to trigger slab avalanches that have been formed by recent snow and wind. Watch for areas of obvious wind loading in very steep terrain, particularly near ridge crests and in cliff areas and couloirs. Serious concern lies with older and deeper weaknesses that are buried within the snowpack. If failure occurs on these layers, events will be larger and dangerous.  A cautious approach and avoidance of steep avalanche terrain is the best way to avoid these avalanche problems. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slabs involving old weak snow can still be triggered by a single person. In some areas they may be very sensitive while others may be stubborn and require a weak spot on the slope to hit or larger triggers such as the movement of a smaller wind slab. These slabs are likely to be hard and have depths of two to four feet. 

    (1/5/2023)

    This avalanche was triggered by a rider at Jack Hollow on a southeast aspect at 9,500 feet.  It failed on weak snow in the lower half of the snowpack and was approx. 3 feet thick. 

    Photo: Antonioli

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds have been primarily from the south and southwest most recently but have varied over many directions during the last several days.  Where winds have been strongest, particularly near or above 10,000' snow continues to be transported and slabs continue to reload and remain susceptible to human triggering. If triggered these slabs could have depths of a foot to eighteen inches. 

    (1/7/2023)

    Wind slab triggered in Tetons 

Avalanche Discussion

The southwest trails area is large. The snowpack is tricky right now as some areas have a widespread weak persistent problem while those weak layers have become deeply buried in other areas or are less profound in other areas. The best way to determine if the weak layer is present is to get the shovel and have a dig. Look at the layering and see if weak, sugary snow can be found. Any steep avalanche terrain above 8000 feet remains suspect and remember that tracks are not an indication of slope stability. 

Note the avalanche event table and map is now populating. It can be found on the "avalanche event archive" link on the Observation tab or by going to:

https://bridgertetonavalanchecenter.org/avalanche-events/

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