Lionhead Area

Avalanches are unlikely, and conditions are generally safe. Watch for signs of isolated instability if you choose to ski or ride in steep and extreme terrain where a small avalanche could have significant consequences. An outside chance of a large avalanche breaking on deeply buried weak layers remains on rocky, steep, wind-loaded slopes.

Every member of the party should carry and know how to use avalanche rescue beacons, shovels, and probes, and only expose one person at a time to terrain steeper than 30 degrees, with partners watching from a safe position. Without the basics, there is less margin for error.

This forecast is dedicated to the memory of Darren Johnson, a ski patroller at the Yellowstone Club who was killed by an avalanche on Cedar Mountain in the Northern Madison Range ten years ago today. 

Currently, avalanches are unlikely, and danger is LOW throughout the forecast area. The last reported slab avalanche was relatively small and occurred last week on Reas Peak in Island Park (details and photos), with several more significant wind slab avalanches in the Northern Gallatin and Bridger Ranges four to six days ago (Hyalite avalanche, Saddle Peak avalanche). Winds are calm, and with no new snow, conditions continue to stabilize.

During safer periods, it is reasonable to engage with steeper terrain, and if we do, the fundamentals of safe travel matter! Isolated instability is more consequential in steep and extreme terrain. Every member of a group should carry and know how to use avalanche rescue beacons, shovels, and probes, and only one person should be exposed to terrain steeper than 30 degrees at a time, with partners watching from a safe position (Tepee Basin video). Without the basics, there is less margin for error.

The last persistent slab avalanche was ten days ago in the Lionhead area (observation) and three weeks ago in the Southern Madison and Southern Gallatin Ranges (observation). Terrain choice and safe travel protocols are currently the best ways to mitigate against this unlikely event. While a reasonable idea everywhere, in the Lionhead area, Southern Gallatin and Southern Madison Ranges, added caution is warranted on big, wind-loaded slopes and where snow depth is variable due to rocks and cliff bands (Island Park video, Lionhead video).

Enjoy this time of relative stability and stay safe. Regardless of avalanches, objective hazards increase with steeper slope angles.

Interesting ‘25-26 Avalanche History: On Saturday, a local guide in Island Park showed Mark the remnants of nine huge, destructive avalanches that likely occurred in late December during the period of warm temperatures, heavy snowfall, and rain (observation and photos).