Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a dangerous avalanche deep enough to bury or injure a person is possible in steep terrain. Precipitation and warm temperatures are stressing buried weak layers near the bottom of the snowpack, travel with caution and carefully evaluate steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and wind will form fresh drifts at high elevations above the rain line. These fresh slabs will often look rounded and pillowy and will be sensitive to the weight of a rider in very steep terrain.

    A wind slab avalanche failing within the new snow could step down into buried weak snow, resulting in avalanches that break deeper and wider than you might expect. Avoid steep slopes that have been wind loaded. Cracking around your sled or skis is a sign that a slope has a wind slab and could be unstable.

    (12/23/2025)

    Wind loaded slope breaking into old weak snow.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Warm temperatures, new snow, and recent wind stress weak snow that formed in November. It is possible to trigger a dangerous avalanche that breaks 2-4 feet deep and is large enough to bury or injure a rider. Very steep slopes facing north through east are most suspect. With high freezing levels, pay attention to snow that was previously cold and dry but is now warm and wet. This rapid change can further stress buried weak layers.

    In the last week, we have seen multiple avalanches breaking down into this old weak snow in both open, exposed terrain and sheltered treed terrain.

    (12/22/2025)

    A snowmobile triggered avalanche that likely failed on weak snow from November. 

Avalanche Discussion

Santa gave a white Christmas to the highest peaks in Togwotee, but in most locations precipitation fell as rain. Temperatures are near freezing, and winds are blowing from the southwest. A winter snowpack does not like unusual weather or big changes like we are seeing right now. It prefers gradual change, so while it adjusts it may be a bit cranky.

The good news is that continued snowfall and moderate temperatures promote strengthening of the weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack. This process takes time but is slowly happening. For now, the snowpack needs some space while it adjusts.

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