24-25

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are the primary concern through the weekend. They could break under the snow that fell yesterday or in the new snow that is going to fall and be blown around tomorrow and Sunday. Either way, they could easily have enough power to knock you off your feet and into the plethora of rocks and stumps that are still exposed with a thin, early season snowpack. Avoidance is the key as getting caught in an avalanche of any</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><em><span> </span></em></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>size is likely to result in traumatic injuries. Skiers yesterday in the northern Bridger Range triggered several small slides that demonstrate how surprising quickly even a thin slab can get snow moving (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cb81DKQ0G4M"><span><span><span><strong><…;). Wind drifts will be the largest and most dangerous in the areas with the most new snow (likely the Island Park area).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>From public observations and our own limited fieldwork so far, the snowpack structure is looking pretty good for early season. Lots can still change, but for now, we’re cautiously optimistic about the lack of dramatic weak layers near the ground (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCqhiLWpnrE"><span><span><span><strong>…’s video from Beehive Basin</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With each snowfall, there are more slopes that have continuous snow cover and are more appealing to ski or ride. Unfortunately, these are exactly where you need to be most wary about avalanches. It is a cliche for a reason - if there is enough snow to ride, there is enough snow to slide. Tilt the odds in your favor watching for signs of instability (recent avalanches, crack, or collapsing), carrying rescue gear (beacon, shovel, and probe) and following safe travel protocols in and around avalanche terrain. If you’re not ready to shift into winter-mode and follow these safe travel practices, plan to avoid steep snow-covered slopes with more than a foot of snow.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>