Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Snow depth is 1-2.5 feet in the mountains near Bozeman and Big Sky and 2-3.5 feet near West Yellowstone and Cooke City. Winter is off to a good start which means avalanches are possible. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Avalanches can be triggered where recent snow has drifted into thicker slabs, similar to avalanches earlier in the week that were 6-18” deep and triggered by skiers on Mt. Blackmore (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/crown-avalanche-remotely-triggered…;) and in the Bridger Range (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26758"><span><span><span><strong><span>…;). Watch for signs of wind-loading and be cautious of steep slopes with drifts of snow. We have had many reports of a generally stable “right-side-up” snowpack below the recent new snow and drifts, but data is limited this early in the season and we can’t be too optimistic. Yesterday skiers near Beehive Basin found poor stability test scores and chose to ski lower angle terrain (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26760"><span><span><span><strong><span… observation</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Before committing to travel in avalanche terrain dig a quick snowpit, if you find signs of instability avoid steep slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Whether you are in the mountains to ski, hunt, snowmobile, snowshoe, ice-climb or walk the dog: 1) Assess terrain where you plan to travel for avalanche potential. 2) Make sure you and your partner's avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, and probe) is functional and you know how to use it. 3) If you plan to travel on steep slopes carefully assess the snowpack for unstable conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Your observations are more important than ever this time of year as we get to know this season’s snowpack. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><stron… your Observations</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><span><span><span><… the Observations</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><stron…;, email (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p>Snow depth is 3-4 feet in the mountains near Island Park. Avalanches can be triggered where recent snow has drifted into thicker slabs. Watch for signs of wind-loading and be cautious of steep slopes with drifts of snow. Before committing to travel in avalanche terrain dig a quick snowpit, if you find signs of instability avoid steep slopes.</p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.