Photos

Wind-loading Monday afternoon continued into the evening and formed wind slabs at many elevations. This photo is on the Bridger ridge, south of the ski area. Photo: B. Johnsen

South of Cooke City, a recent slab avalanche up Republic Creek from Monday (3/26).  A wind loaded, north facing slope around 9,700'. Photo: B. Fredlund

A cornice fall triggered this avalanche on Lionhead Ridge that broke sometime late Saturday (3/24). Photo: B. Rasmussen

Reactive snow on steep edge of tree well. Sluffing or cracking on small rolls and micro-terrain features is a sign that loose slides or soft slabs are possible and may run far on larger, steep terrain. Photo: H. Coppolillo

Big Sky ski patrol triggered this slide with explosives on Sunday (3/25). It is in a heavily wind loaded pocket. Heavy snow and strong wind formed fresh slabs on Saturday. Many have gained strength, but are possible to trigger for a day or two. Photo: BSSP

Big Sky ski patrol triggered this slide with explosives on Sunday (3/25). Heavy snow and strong wind formed fresh slabs on Saturday. Many have gained strength, but are possible to trigger for a day or two. Photo: BSSP

Roof avalanches can be common this time of year when warm days promote the rapid shedding of the deep roof slabs. Photo: B. Fredlund

Wind loading after Saturday's snowfall (3/24) created avalanches on Saddle Peak that ran over the cliffs. Photo: GNFAC

Skiers in Beehive Basin noted touchy conditions and poor bonding between the new snowfall and old snow interface. They triggered slides while moving along a ridge line and also noted natural avalanche activity. Photo: R. Makohin

Skiers in Beehive Basin noted touchy conditions and poor bonding between the new snowfall and old snow interface. Crusts formed last week during several days of high pressure, particularly on solar aspects. They also noted natural avalanche activity. Photo: R. Makohin

There is 7' of snow on the ground in Bacon Rind (HS 240 cm) and it is stable today. The main concern is the new snow above the ice crust that formed 10 days ago (seen as the stripe behind the shovel) and in two snowpits our stability tests did not propagate. Melting, rain and/or more snow with wind would change the stability, but for now it's good. Photo: GNFAC

Skiers observed these natural wind slabs near Goose Lake north of Cooke City on Friday (3/23). Photo: B. Zavora

Skiers outside of Cooke City observed a few natural avalanches today. These slides occurred in upper elevation, wind loaded terrain. Photo: R. Gilmore 

The snowmobiler walked to the edge of the ridge when the cornice broke carrying him over a cliff. Photo: Fremont Co. SAR

A skier on Yellow Mountain near Big Sky observed this old wet loose avalanche on a south facing slope. This slide likely occurred last week during the extended period of warm weather. Above freezing temps, abundant sunshine and rain on snow can all produce sizable wet loose avalanches. This will become a more widespread problem as spring progresses. Photo: T. Allen

Yesterday, (20 March) a snowmobiler was injured when a cornice broke and carried him down a slope and over a small cliff in the Centennial Range of Idaho between Sawtelle Peak and Mt. Jefferson. Fremont County Search and Rescue reported the rider was injured and ambulatory, and evacuated by air ambulance to a hospital.

Slab avalanche that broke in the 8-10" of storm snow that fell Thursday (3/15). It is out of bounds just north of Bridger Bowl and was likely triggered sympathetically during avalanche control on Friday. Photo: GNFAC

These avalanches appear to be natural and broke in the 8-10" of snow that fell Thursday (3/15). Photo: GNFAC

Dry loose avalanches and small storm slabs were observed in Beehive Basin. With more snow in the forecast, similar avalanches will be likely. Photo: GNFAC