Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Yesterday, two skiers were killed on a south-southeast facing slope at an elevation of 9,900 feet in the backcountry to the south of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and families of the victims. Snowfall over the past 36 hours combined with westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds to create pockets of soft slab at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep, wind-loaded terrain. The possibility persists for backcountry travelers to trigger deeper slabs that formed during the last storm cycle. A slight chance remains for these slabs to step down to faceted snow near the base of the snowpack above 7,500 feet. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation followed by thoughtful decision making will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    During the last week's storm cycle, abundant snowfall and strong winds formed wind slabs on all aspects and elevations. These slabs lie on a variety of snow surfaces that developed during a dry period between Christmas and early January. Slab depths range from one foot at lower elevations to four feet at the higher elevations. The weight of a single person could trigger slabs in very steep terrain that had experienced significant wind loading.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Skiers and riders could trigger newly developed wind slabs one to two feet deep in steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain above 7,500 feet. These slabs formed on slick sun crusts in sunlit terrain and dry, loose snow in shaded areas.

Regions covered