Photos

A skier in Hyalite observed several day-old wind slab avalanche near the top of Flanders, and noted "small rolls above the glade and up to ridgeline were still cracking under the weight of a skier." Another reminder that recently wind-loaded pockets are reactive throughout the advisory area. Photo: G. Antonioli

Big Sky Ski Patrol saw two natural wind slab avalanches during control this morning that had released after being loaded by strong winds last night. From BSSP: "We observed the evidence of 2 small naturals this am in the upper cirque where the strong winds had managed to deposit some snow very low below cliff bands. We did not see this loading pattern anywhere else on the hill." Photo: BSSP

This wind slab failed as a snowbiker rode by on the road immediately below the road cut. While this slope was not particularly dangerous, these isolated wind slabs can pose a serious threat in the wrong terrain. Photo: C. Matthees

This wind slab failed as a snowbiker rode by on the road immediately below the road cut. While this slope was not particularly dangerous, this is a good indicator of heavier loading on larger slopes up high. Photo: C. Matthees

A skier north of Bridger Bowl triggered this small wind slab near the ridge. This is a good reminder that isolated instabilities still exist on wind loaded slopes. Photo: J. Zimmer 

A skier on Ramshorn Peak in the southern Gallatin Range got shooting cracks and observed a recent avalanche in wind loaded terrain. This is a good reminder that isolated instabilities still exist on wind loaded slopes. Photo: C. Kussmaul  

Skiers in Hyalite observed several wind slabs release in addition to this slab collapsing under the weight of a skier. Photo: G. Antonioli

The Lionhead area near West Yellowstone has the shallowest and weakest snowpack in our forecast region. The bottom half of the pack consists of weak, sugary facets. This well developed weak layer produced unstable results in stability tests on any slope that had wind drifted snow. With more snow and wind in the forecast, this area will experience increasingly unstable conditions. Photo GNFAC  

This avalanche originated from the ridgetop and ran down the east face of Mt Blackmore. Winds were loading slopes quickly. This avalanche occurred in the morning right after we arrived in the bowl. Photo: G. Antonioli

This avalanche released while we were skinning up the ridge. New snow and strong winds created instability under the cornice. Photo: G. Antonioli

Climbers in Hyalite triggered a small wind slab while hiking. From the email: "No consequences his time, but it is a great reminder of how quickly conditions can change when you're hiking. In the wrong terrain, a slide like this could be really bad." Well said. Photo: P. Dobson

Isolated wind slabs in Hyalite cracking under the weight of a skier. Photo: V. Ortiz

Photo: @msubackcountryclub

We found 4' of stable snow on the slopes underneath Wolverine (NE facing, 8500').  Photo: GNFAC

This loose snow avalanche originated in the summit rocks and entrained the few inches of new snow. Photo: GNFAC

This small wind slab on the NE facing slopes of Scotch Bonnet likely released a week ago after the strong winds blew. Photo: GNFAC

Surface hoar crystals growing on top of a thin, faceted snowpack in the Southern Gallatins. Photo: B. VandenBos

A skier in the Northern Bridgers found variable conditions on Saturday, with wind scouring above treeline, isolated wind slabs below treeline, and widespread faceting with the recent cold and dry weather. "Skiing was highly variable, ranging from all loose facets to breakable wind slab overlying facets to hard slab/sastrugi." Photo: G. Antonioli

Photo: S. Hennessey

A skier outside of Cooke City observed this natural avalanche on a north facing slope up Sheep Creek. The slide appears to be the result of heavy wind loading. Photo:B. Fredlund