New snow and strong winds are forming dense wind slabs in the mountains around Cooke City. This wind slab was triggered on a northeast facing slope near Mt Abundance. Photo GNFAC
Bridger Range
The main avalanche problem today will be fresh wind slabs formed by strong southerly winds. This is the only avalanche problem in the Bridger Range and a simple one to avoid. While surface hoar was observed in many other areas, this layer does not exist in the Bridger Range. For today with strong winds and new snow available for transport, the danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes and MODERATE on all others.
Many shallow natural avalanches were seen in Hyalite Canyon just south of Bozeman on Wednesday, Feb 4. These were breaking within the new snow about 4-6 inches deep. Photo: B. Vandenbos
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
The upper layer will be our most significant concern as it gets buried deeper. This surface hoar layer in Lionhead was small and unimpressive, but in other areas it's bigger and will be a problem. The lowest layer is also still a player on a few slopes (ECTP17). Photo: GNFAC
Cooke City
Skiers triggered this small wind slab in a north facing chute up Hyalite Canyon on Monday, February 2. It broke 20 feet wide, 8-10" deep on a 45 degree steep slope. Photo: M. Cohen
