Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Heightened avalanche conditions exist on steep shady slopes where an avalanche could break 1-2 deep. If caught in a slide, the consequences are elevated as you could be dragged over rocks and logs that are buried just beneath the snow surface. Cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanches are indicators of slopes that are unstable. If you see these signs, move to low angle terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of snow that formed in November have been buried by recent winter storms. It is possible that riders could trigger avalanches 1-2 feet deep on steep slopes that harbor this weak snow. Slopes facing west through north to east are most suspect. To avoid this problem, stick to low-angle slopes and terrain that did not have old snow on it before last week. Since the weak snow connects ridgelines, steep slopes, and meadows, it is possible to trigger avalanches remotely, so plan accordingly when traveling near or underneath steep terrain.

    (12/6/2025)

    This photo illustrates the type of avalanche that could be triggered. Enough to bury you in the wrong terrain, and enough to take you off your feet. 

    Photo: Daniel Nagy

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Last night, Togwotee picked up 1-4 inches of new snow, and winds blew from the west. Near high-elevation ridgelines, it is possible to trigger a small wind slab 1-2 feet deep. A small wind slab could overlie the persistent slab avalanche problem, breaking deeper than expected. Around ridge features look for signs of recent wind loading. This will often present as thin, textured snow that has been stripped from one side of a feature, with pillowy drifts on the opposite side where snow has been deposited.

Avalanche Discussion

Over the past week, winter has arrived. The mountains have received 1-2 feet of snow and nearly 2 inches of water over the last five days. While backcountry riding is not yet in full swing, travel conditions have improved and are allowing us to cautiously start moving around in the mountains. With new snow come new avalanche problems. The small amount of snow that lingered through November has faceted and become weak. Over the previous two days, avalanches breaking on this layer have been observed in Togwotee and other forecast regions.

This weak snow is generally confined to elevations above 9,000 feet, though some isolated patches may exist below this. It is primarily found on west, north, and east facing aspects, but is currently most suspect on north and east facing slopes where westerly winds have formed a more cohesive slab in the upper portion of the snowpack. The downside is that these areas also hold the deepest snowpack, where the chances of snagging a ski tip or an A-arm are lower. For now, it’s best to stick to low-angle terrain to avoid triggering an avalanche.

Regions covered