Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It remains possible to trigger an avalanche on very steep wind-loaded slopes at middle and upper elevations. Look for pillows and stiff drifts around cliffs, steep rollovers, and couloirs. Very steep sheltered slopes could sluff easily. Evaluate this type of terrain before you ride and remember that even a small avalanche can have very high consequences if you get knocked off your feet around cliffs or terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs up to a foot thick exist above 8500'.   Recent snow is sitting on slick crusts in many locations and could propagate larger than you might expect.  The Snake River Range received 10" of snow in the last 48 hours (almost double the Tetons in many locations) and have loaded lee aspects. Moderate winds out of the northwest, west, and southwest over the last 48 hours have redistributed the recent snow. Look for pillows and stiff drifts in steep terrain. Areas below cliffs and steep rollovers (couloir entrances) can often be wind-loaded. Even small avalanches carry high consequences in dangerous terrain and around terrain traps.

    Small wind slab in steep, exposed terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

In addition to wind slabs, consider the following as you are riding in the Snake River Range today:

  • Loose snow avalanches (Sluffing) -  Snow from the last 48 hours fell on top of crusts on every aspect at low elevations and present on sunny slopes in the middle and upper elevations.  In other loactions this new snow may be sitting on near surface facets. If you’re skiing very steep sheltered slopes you might easily entrain large amounts of snow.
  • Cornices - Cornices are big this time of year and while temperatures have cooled off, many cornices have started cracking and can still break unexpectedly. Remember that they crack much further back than you expect - something to keep in mind as you climb ridges. Minimize the time spent on slopes beneath cornices.

A winter storm warning goes into effect tonight at 8 pm and is currently scheduled to last until Friday at 5 am. Although it looks to bring lots of snow, it will not arrive in time to change the avalanche hazard today.

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

Regions covered