Bridger Range

Skier triggered slide at The Throne

Date
Activity
Skiing

From IG: "Storm slab broke about 200’ above us as skinning up the hallway coming from the north side on the throne." 

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
The Throne

On December 15th, 2024 at 12:09 p.m., a skier in open ski area terrain was caught and buried by an avalanche in the Papa Bear region below Bridger Gully. The skier was, who was with a partner, was buried just below the snow surface and was able to punch a hole up through the top of the snow. The skier's partner and other members of the skiing public responded quickly and were able to extricate the uninjured skier.

Bridger Range, 2024-12-15

Wind Slabs on Saddle Peak

Date
Activity
Skiing

We toured up Saddle Peak from Schlasman's today, for the first time this season, to get our bearings on how the snowpack in this area is shaping up. We skied down Skyline ridge from the summit and saw evidence of previous wind loading. Small cornices exist at the ridge crest and the snow surface off the ridge was rippled by wind. Though it has been several days since the last storm, strong winds have been present all week, and many wind slabs sit on weak snow. Thus, skiing down, we steered clear of wind slabs on steep slopes, especially with the high consequence terrain with large cliffs and trees below us.

We dug a snowpit on an E aspect at 9070'. We found a 1' thick hard slab sitting on a foundation of faceted snow. We got an ECTP13 on an interface between this slab and a melt-freeze crust. We dug another snowpit at 8800', again on an E aspect; here we found a deeper and stronger snowpack. 

Overall, we found quite variable snowpack depths and weak layer distribution. Currently, there is not widespread instability outside of recently developed wind slabs. Areas with a shallower snowpack (1-3 feet deep) had a consistent layer of faceted snow. Generally, these weak layers are not advanced, but we will continue to watch this snowpack setup once it is loaded with the weight of new snow.

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
Saddle Peak
Observer Name
H. Darby