Bridger Range

Avalanches breaking 6-18” deep on slopes with recent drifts are the primary avalanche hazard. Avoid freshly wind-loaded slopes, watch for instability in the upper couple of feet of snow, and consider how terrain amplifies or lessens the consequences of an avalanche. Seek out lower and middle-elevation terrain sheltered from wind where conditions are generally safe.

There are three themes in today’s avalanche conditions that require slightly different strategies for safer travel. Always follow the fundamentals of travel in and around avalanche terrain: beacon, shovel, probe, and one at a time on steep slopes.

Theme 1: In the Southern Madison and Southern Gallatin Ranges, and the Lionhead Area, significant recent snowfall overlaps with weak layers buried deeply in the snowpack, making persistent slab avalanches the primary concern. Yesterday, Mark rode in the Lionhead Area and saw three recent avalanches that took out nearly the entire season’s snowpack (observation/ photos). Secondarily, winds drifted last week’s 3-4 feet of snow, and wind slab avalanches will be large enough to bury or injure skiers or riders. Conditions are most dangerous where these problems combine. Select smaller, wind-sheltered slopes with lower-consequences or minimize exposure to terrain steeper than 30 degrees. The likelihood of triggering a slide diminishes each day without new snow and wind loading, but the consequences of triggering a 3-5-foot-deep avalanche do not. The danger in the Southern Madison and Southern Gallatin Ranges, and the Lionhead Area is MODERATE.

Theme 2: Last week in the Cooke City and Island Park Areas, 3-4 feet of snow fell on a deep snowpack, and without evidence of slides breaking on deeper, large wind slab avalanches in steep, drifted terrain are the primary avalanche concern. Yesterday, guides in Cooke City noted natural wind slab avalanches, smaller loose snow avalanches, and shooting cracks on small test slopes (observation 1, 2). Identify and avoid wind-loaded slopes. Seek out wind-sheltered terrain and test the upper three feet of the snowpack for instability. The danger is MODERATE in the Cooke City and Island Park Areas.

Theme 3: In the Bridger, Northern Madison, and Northern Gallatin Ranges, last week’s 8-12” of snow softened surfaces, and wind slab avalanches breaking 6-18” deep are the primary issue (Beehive observation and video). Yesterday, skiers in Beehive Basin and near the Playground smartly avoided slopes where they observed signs of instability (observation 1, 2). Several days ago, skiers in the Bridger Range triggered 8-12” deep slides on wind-loaded slopes (observation 1, 2). Drifts will stabilize more slowly where they sit on weak, faceted snow (observation from Hyalite). Avoid freshly wind-loaded slopes, watch for instability in the upper couple of feet of snow, and consider how terrain plays into the consequences of an avalanche. Cloud cover should minimize wet-snow hazards, but keep small, wet loose avalanches in mind if snow surfaces heat up. Conditions are generally safe in lower and middle-elevation terrain sheltered from wind. The danger is MODERATE at upper-elevations and LOW at middle- and lower-elevations in the Bridger, Northern Gallatin, and Northern Madison Ranges.

Recent Avalanche Accidents: We are sad to report three deaths from avalanches in Wyoming and Washington. A snowmobiler was killed yesterday (1/11) in Wyoming after an avalanche buried him two feet deep. The rider’s partner dug him out and performed CPR, but was unable to revive him (preliminary information from the BTAC). On Friday (1/9), an avalanche caught four skiers in Washington killing two (more information). There have been six avalanche deaths during the 2025-26 season. Our thoughts go out to friends, families, and responders.