Photos

This small wind slab was triggered by skiers descending from Imp Peak in the southern Madison Range. Although small, this slide is bull's eye information that larger slides are possible on wind loaded slopes. Photo: S. Knowles 

Wind loads were easy to trigger. This one was triggered on purpose up Maid of the Mist in Hyalite. Photo: A. Peterson

Wind slabs were easily triggered. Although small in size, they indicate that larger slopes would have larger avalanches. Photo: A. Peterson

Strong winds on Tuesday (12/4) drifted recent low density snow into thick slabs at ridgelines, and mid to lower elevations in the Bridger Range. Photo: GNFAC

Strong winds on Tuesday (12/4) drifted recent low density snow into thick slabs at ridgelines, and mid to lower elevations. Photo: GNFAC

From some skiers: "We encountered veey localized loading that easily fractured and propagated uphill on a south aspect." Photo: S. Reinsel

From some skiers: "We encountered veey localized loading that easily fractured and propagated uphill on a south aspect." Photo: S. Reinsel

This picture is from Divide Basin in Hyalite Canyon. A skier writes, "Lots of blowing snow with multiple natural avalanches occurring during the morning." Photo: S. Wilson

15-30 mph westerly winds were blowing snow up Hyalite and among the other ranges. Photo: S. Wilson

Skiers triggered these loose snow avalanches on Sunday (12/2) on a west-southwest aspect in Beehive Basin. Photo: T. Allen

Hyalite got 8-10" of low density snow and there were widespread natural dry loose avalanches on Saturday. Photo: G. Antonioli

From e-mail: "triggered a small wet slide in the Going Home chute coming back into Beehive, and we observed another natural wet slide on a similar aspect that had occurred since we toured past in the morning. Wind was light or calm all day and wind effect was minimal even at ridgelines." Photo: C. Kussmaul

From e-mail: "triggered a small wet slide in the Going Home chute coming back into Beehive, and we observed another natural wet slide on a similar aspect that had occurred since we toured past in the morning. Wind was light or calm all day and wind effect was minimal even at ridgelines." Photo: C. Kussmaul

Skiers in Beehive on Sunday (12/2) reported lots of previous natural point releases. Photo: H. Copolillo

We observed this old avalanche on Sunday 12/2. It may have broke up to a week prior, on weak facets that formed in mid-November. Photo: GNFAC

We observed this wind slab and debris on Sunday (12/2). It likely formed from the new snow and wind on Saturday morning. Photo: GNFAC

We observed this wind slab crown on Sunday (12/2). It likely formed from the new snow and wind the Saturday morning. Photo: GNFAC

Steep, wind loaded slopes had fresh drifts, 6" deep and 10-30' wide that were easy to trigger on Saddle Peak (12/1). Photo: GNFAC

Cracking of fresh drifts was a sign that avalanches were likely on steep, wind loaded slopes on Saddle Peak. Photo: GNFAC

In Beehive Basin, the snowpack is thin and weak on west and south facing slopes. A poor snowpack structure will make slab avalanches likely on these slopes with the arrival of new and wind-blown snow. Photo: GNFAC.