JACKSON, Wyo. — The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC) has released its annual report for the 2024/25 winter season.
The report includes a snowpack summary, operations and zone updates, incident and accident data, field observations and outreach. In the report, BTAC Director Frank Carus wrote that the winter was “unremarkable and average in many ways.” However, expanded education programs reached new audiences across the state.
“This year, we did more,” Carus wrote. “More snowpack talks, more free classes, another forecast zone, more special training across the region and a new weather station.”
After a large snowstorm in early December, danger ratings for all zones started at “considerable” or “high.” December 17 saw over 20 avalanches reported, the most of any 24-hour period of the season. On January 4, a group of four skiers and splitboarders triggered a large, persistent slab avalanche on Togwotee Pass, which resulted in two individuals being buried as well as the only avalanche fatality of the season.
“Tragically, a close member of the local mountain community lost his life in January,” Carus wrote. “Avalanche deaths haunt us and threaten the joys of field work, but work must go on.”
The report states that the winter was mostly characterized by large storms with warm temperatures creating heavy, wet snow for the first half of winter. Some of these storms even brought rain to middle and upper elevations. Despite the unique snow and weather patterns, all zones ended with above average snowfall for the season.
Other highlights from the annual report:
- A total of 373 avalanches were observed throughout the season, with 135 being human-triggered.
- BTAC added the ability to submit observations about snowpack and conditions directly on the Avy App.
- Around 2,000 people participated in outreach events, awareness training and snowpack discussions, including in new programs across the state of Wyoming and in southeast Idaho.
- Forecast zone borders were redrawn, breaking them down to include one new forecast zone and three new observation areas that cover the southern Wyoming Range, the Gros Ventre Range and the Big Holes.
- A new snow and wind weather station was installed in the Snake River Range near Baird Mountain, and the 11 other stations were maintained.
The entire report can be viewed on the BTAC website.
