Avalanche Information - from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

Mountain Weather:

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion:

The northern Madison Range:

The skiing and riding conditions in the mountains around Big Sky have been improving on a daily basis. Unfortunately this does not mean that stability has been improving at the same rate. Buried surface hoar 18-24 inches deep continues to produce obvious signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanche activity.

On Friday, snowmobilers on Buck Ridge triggered an avalanche on the surface hoar layer that broke up to 2 feet deep. On Saturday, skiers on Dudley Peak got cracking and collapsing as they skied and also found the surface hoar to be reactive in all their stability tests. This layer does appear to be gaining strength, but should not be trusted. The dilemma with this scenario is slopes that are the most desirable to ride also pose the greatest avalanche threat. If you are skiing or riding in the mountains around Big Sky, digging multiple snowpits in search of buried surface hoar is wise before skiing steep terrain.

A less pervasive problem, but still one to take into consideration, is the recent formation of wind slabs on leeward slopes. Although the winds have eased over the past 24 hours, the likelihood of triggering a pocket of wind deposited snow remains real. On Saturday, skiers on Dudley Peak observed natural wind slab avalanches on north and east facing slopes. The Big Sky and Moonlight Ski Patrol's also reported triggering wind slabs with ski cuts and explosives while doing control work on Saturday. With an additional 2-3 inches of light density snow over the past 24 hours touchy wind slabs have likely formed in favored leeward loading zones.

Today human triggered avalanches are likely on all wind loaded slopes and slopes steeper than 35 degrees where the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE. Slopes less than 35 degrees that have not received wind loading have a MODERATE avalanche danger.

The Bridger Range:

The Bridger Bowl Cloud (BBC) has made a surprise appearance delivering over 8 inches of cold smoke powder to the Bridger Range. This has refreshed the ski conditions but has also elevated the avalanche danger. Areas of wind deposited snow on leeward slopes directly below the ridgeline will be the most prone to avalanche activity.

On Saturday, the Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol triggered wind slabs 4-18 inches deep while doing control work; a good indication that similar slabs are lurking outside of the ski area boundary. The new snow has formed additional wind slabs and has obscured the slabs formed earlier this week. These both will likely fail under the weight of a skier or rider.

Slopes that have not received wind loading are generally strong with good stability. However, isolated areas of weak snow do exist, primarily buried surface hoar near Flathead Pass. A few snowpits on desired slopes will give a good indication if this layer is present.

For today, all wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees have a CONSIDERABLE Avalanche Danger. Slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have not received wind loading have a MODERATE Avalanche Danger and all slopes less than 35 degrees have a LOW Avalanche Danger.

The Southern Madison and entire Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:

Over the past week strong storms have tested the snowpack in the southern ranges. To our delight, the snowpack has adjusted well to the latest load keeping avalanche activity to a minimum. Yesterday I rode in the Lionhead area and found soft snow with stable conditions. Doug also traveled south yesterday to Bacon Rind, checking up on the buried surface hoar layer that formed over two weeks ago. Doug easily found this layer in all his snowpits, but was pleased by the positive signs of strengthening this layer showed in stability tests (photo) (video). The end result – Doug and his partner skied the slope.

Although the general stability of the snowpack is good, areas of wind deposited snow remain a concern. Leeward slopes directly below ridgelines will be the most likely to produce an avalanche. Yesterday a rider near Cooke City reported an avalanche near Lulu Pass. This slide likely occurred due to recent wind loading.

Today, wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees have a CONSIDERABLE Avalanche Danger. Less steep slopes that have not received wind loading have a MOSERATE Avalanche Danger.

Information provided by Doug Chabot, Mark Staples, and Eric Knoff from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center ~ Mammoth Weather Forecast

Yellowstone Seven Day Forecast on 03 January 2011 by the NWS Riverton, WY

Today: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow in the morning...then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Highs 14°F to 20°F. West winds around 15 mph. Lowest wind chill readings -16°F to -26°F in the morning.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows -4°F to 2°F. Southwest winds around 15 mph. Wind chill readings -11°F to -21°F.

Tuesday: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Highs 13°F to 19°F. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Lowest wind chill readings -13°F to -23°F in the morning.

Tuesday Night: Breezy. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the evening...then chance of snow after midnight. Lows 0°F to 6°F. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30 percent.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Highs 16°F to 22°F. Southwest winds around 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Lows 7°F to 13°F.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Highs 23°F to 29°F.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Lows 11°F to 17°F.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Highs 24°F to 30°F.

Friday Night: .Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. Lows 11°F to 17°F.

Saturday: .Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Highs 23°F to 29°F.

Saturday Night: Colder. Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Lows 3°F to 9°F.

Sunday: Colder. Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Highs 10°F to 16°F.

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