Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche large enough to bury, injure, or kill you remains possible above 7500 feet. Deep weak layers buried 2-4 feet are a threat on steep, shady slopes, especially around thin rocky areas. Shallow drifts along ridges and in exposed areas could avalanche and send you into consequential terrain.  Avoid wind-affected, steep, and rocky slopes at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of snow formed in December remain buried 2-4 feet at the base of the snowpack. It remains possible to trigger a large avalanche on this weak layer. Steep slopes above 7500 feet remain suspect. Triggering an avalanche is most likely in thin areas around rocks or in exposed areas where the wind has drifted snow. The likelihood of this problem is trending down, but the consequence remains very high. This observation is a great example of an avalanche triggered on deep, weak layers. The problem is worse on shady aspects on the northern half of the compass, but with a big enough trigger, any steep slope with weak, sugary snow at the ground remains suspect. Whumphing and shooting cracks are usually absent with large hard slab avalanches.  Give yourself plenty of room around steep slopes, and remember that you could trigger a steep slope just by riding underneath it.

    Warm temperatures from a few days ago have created generally safe conditions below 7500’.

    (1/7/2025)

    Large persistent slab avalanche within the last 48 hours on a steep, rocky, north-facing slope.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate northerly winds and a few inches of new snow have built 1+ foot thick slabs at upper elevations. These slabs will be located along ridges and around exposed rocky features and gullies. Look for pillows and stiff drifts, and watch for shooting cracks or collapses. These small slabs could still knock you off your feet, so consider the terrain below you and the consequence of even a small avalanche. Avoid this problem by staying off exposed steep slopes where you see signs of wind-affected snow.

    Small windslab at 8600' on an East aspect.

    Photo: Travis Baldwin

Avalanche Discussion

It will be a great day - albeit cold - to get out with good visibility and sunny skies. Don’t let your guard down and get sucked onto steep shady slopes above 7500 feet. We have had recent large avalanches on steep northerly slopes. You probably noticed that the Snake River Range and the Tetons are both at moderate. NOT ALL MODERATE AVALANCHE RATINGS ARE CREATED EQUAL. If you dig deeper, you will see that in the Tetons, where there is a deeper snowpack, the persistent slab problem is unlikely, while in the Snakes, it remains possible. This is a very big difference and means that the likelihood of triggering a large avalanche is higher and should be on your mind around this type of terrain. Keep your head on a swivel and anticipate thin spots in the snowpack where a larger trigger, like a snowmobile, could set off a slide. Look above you and ensure there is no looming cornice that might break off and trigger a large avalanche.  Trench your sled or dig down and find that faceted snow. Give the snowpack time to adjust to the long stretch of storms that recently wrapped up. Check your beacons and travel one at a time around steeper slopes.

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