JACKSON, Wyo. — On Tuesday, Dec. 31, the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC) backcountry forecast remains at “considerable” between 9,000 and 10,500 feet after an avalanche buried at least one member of a party riding in the Snake River Range.
“Skiers and riders have the potential to trigger slab avalanches today,” the BTAC writes its forecast. “Make conservative terrain choices and watch for signs of instability such as collapse or shooting cracks.”
According to the BTAC, triggered slab avalanches could involve recent snow or old snow layers.
Yesterday’s incident, on Dec. 30, saw the person(s) buried rescued without significant injury, the BTAC reports, although the BTAC have not confirmed the exact number of people involved in the avalanche. The BTAC warns that similar events could occur today throughout the forecasted areas of the Tetons, Snake River Range, Salt River and Wyoming Ranges and Togwotee Pass, where four snowmobilers were rescued over the weekend.
To understand the hazard rating scale used by the BTAC, see below:
