Real-time avalanche danger ratings for the Greater Yellowstone area from Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, with Bridger Range coverage from Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
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Low
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Greater Yellowstone Avalanche Terrain: North America's most varied alpine snowpack.
Wyoming's mountains straddle the boundary between Pacific maritime and continental polar air masses, producing complex snowpack conditions across the Teton, Wind River, and Togwotee corridors. BTAC monitors the Teton, Wind River, Togwotee, and South Pass zones; GNFAC covers the Bridger Range near the WY-MT border. Always carry rescue gear — beacon, probe, shovel — and check both centers before multi-zone trips.
Avalanche Danger by Zone
Teton Range
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No Rating
BTAC
Wind Rivers
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No Rating
BTAC
Togwotee
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No Rating
BTAC
South Pass
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No Rating
BTAC
Bridger Range
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Low
GNFAC
● Low● Moderate● Considerable● High
🔵 Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC) — Bridger Range
7,000 ft
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No Rating
9,000 ft
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No Rating
11,000 ft
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No Rating
Bottom Line: Start and end your day early, and most slopes will be safe to travel on. If you travel in steep, exposed terrain, avoid small pockets of wind-drifted snow or slopes with wet, heavy snow deeper than your ankles. Avoid travel under cornices, especially as the day warms.
Wyoming avalanche danger is provided by Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC, jhavalanche.org) for the Teton, Wind River, and Togwotee zones, and by Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC, gnfac.org) for the Bridger Range. Danger is rated 1–5 (Low to Extreme). Check the danger mosaic above for current ratings by zone. Data sourced via avalanche.org v2 API with up to 8-hour cache.
BTAC rates danger across four elevation bands (below treeline, near treeline, above treeline, and alpine) for each geographic zone (Teton, Wind River, Togwotee, South Pass). Ratings use the standard North American 5-level scale. BTAC issues forecasts daily during the snow season (typically November through May). Their forecast covers Grand Teton National Park approaches, Jackson Hole backcountry, and the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
Primary avalanche season in Wyoming runs December through April, with peak activity January through March. The Wind River Range and Togwotee Pass areas often see persistent weak layers that extend danger well into April and May. The Teton Range is particularly susceptible during spring storm cycles when warm temperatures destabilize the snowpack. BTAC typically stops daily forecasts in late April but may issue updates during significant spring storms.
The Teton Range is among the most avalanche-prone terrain in the US. BTAC covers the Grand Teton zone including Cascade Canyon, Death Canyon, and Granite Canyon. Steep, commits terrain below 9,500 ft sees frequent storm slab and persistent slab problems. Above treeline, wind slabs form rapidly on N/E aspects. The Teton Crest Trail crosses multiple avalanche paths — check BTAC before any multi-day ski traverse. Natural avalanche activity in 2024 closed portions of the Teton Crest Trail multiple times.
The North American Avalanche Danger Scale: Level 1 (Low) — generally safe conditions on most terrain; Level 2 (Moderate) — heightened caution on steep slopes, natural avalanches unlikely; Level 3 (Considerable) — dangerous conditions, human-triggered avalanches likely on steep terrain, conservative decision-making required; Level 4 (High) — very dangerous, natural avalanches likely, travel not recommended on steep terrain; Level 5 (Extreme) — avoid all avalanche terrain. Ratings apply to broad zones and vary significantly by aspect, elevation, and local terrain.
During Considerable (Level 3) danger, human-triggered avalanches are possible on steep slopes, particularly on certain aspects and elevations. You can still travel in the backcountry with a highly conservative approach: avoid terrain steeper than 30 degrees, stay off slopes with obvious wind-loading or terrain traps, travel one at a time through avalanche paths, and carry full rescue equipment. Many experienced backcountry skiers choose to ski low-angle terrain only during Level 3 conditions in the Teton and Wind River ranges.
Check the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC) forecast at jhavalanche.org for the Teton zone. The forecast covers all approach routes to the Grand Teton including the upper万年, the Saddle, and the Exum Ridge approach. For the technical climbing routes on the Upper Mountain, avalanche conditions on the approach are the primary safety concern — the upper mountain itself is primarily a rock/ice climbing objective once above the snowline. Also check Grand Teton National Park alerts for any closures.
The Teton Range features numerous terrain traps: bowl-shaped depressions that concentrate avalanche debris (e.g., Teton Canyon below 10,000 ft, the runout zones in Cascade and Death Canyons). Other significant terrain traps include the couloirs above the Teton Village boundary and the drainage channels below Rendezvous Bowl. A terrain trap amplifies avalanche consequences even at smaller slide sizes. Always identify terrain traps before committing to a slope and avoid stopping in them during backcountry travel.
The Wind River Range is covered by BTAC. The Cirque of the Towers, Titcomb Basin, and the Indian Basin area experience significant avalanche hazard during and after major storm cycles. Persistent weak layers (faceted snow and depth hoar) are common in the Wind Rivers due to the continental snowpack and cold temperatures at elevation. The range sees far less traffic and field observation than the Tetons, so forecasts should be applied conservatively. Remote, serious terrain — self-sufficiency in avalanche rescue is essential for any Wind River winter travel.
BTAC does not issue forecasts for the Bridger Range — that zone is covered by Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC) based in Bozeman, MT. Bridger Bowl skiers and the Hyalite Canyon area fall under GNFAC. For Greater Yellowstone ecosystem avalanche planning, check both BTAC (jhavalanche.org) and GNFAC (gnfac.org) forecasts. The two centers sometimes disagree on conditions in the southern Gallatin Range and the Beartooth Plateau where the zones overlap.
Data Sources: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC, jhavalanche.org) · Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC, gnfac.org). Data sourced via avalanche.org v2 API. Forecasts updated hourly with up to 8-hour cache windows. Always verify directly with the issuing center before entering avalanche terrain. Wyoming Recreation Responsibility Act (Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-501) applies to all backcountry use.
Avalanche Warning: Avalanche danger varies significantly by aspect, elevation, and local terrain traps. The ratings above represent broad geographic zones — not individual trails or drainages. PeakScout aggregates forecast data as an informational aid only. Always carry and know how to use avalanche rescue equipment and travel with trained companions. Wyoming Recreation Responsibility Act (Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-501) applies. Terms of Service · WY Winter Hub · Wyoming Home