Bridger Range

Drifted snow at Bradley Meadow

Photo: GNFAC

Snow profile N facing by Texas Meadow

Went north of Bridger Bowl towards Texas Meadows. 

Winds - blowing strong at the ridge and below about 7400 feet below most of the avalanche terrain (Top of the Alpine Lift down to the BB base area). Winds not doing much around the elevation of the Bridger Lift and the Ramp.

Snow - Just creamy, supportable skiing. South aspects have a supportable melt-freeze crust keeping you off the ground. North aspect have supportable snow. More wind affected areas had alternating scoured snow and wind-deposited snow, but skied pretty well. 

Avalanche issues - All tied to the wind. Fresh drifts were easy to find where the wind was blowing. Avoid wind effect and ski/ride soft snow and you avoid avalanches. The old snow surface faceted but not too badly compared to other areas. I suspect you could find areas where the old snow surface was more faceted and weaker, but they seem isolated. 

Just an initial look at low elevation snow around some of the ice climbs.

8" of new snow at the Grotto Falls TH. 
 

I couldn't find any surface hoar that was buried by last night's snow, but I'm sure it's out there. Doesn't really matter because there's plenty of weak, faceted snow that was the previous snow surface.

The new snow is all fluff and not a concern at lower elevations in Hyalite. Perhaps it could be enough of a load and enough of a cohesive slab at higher elevations where more snow fell. 

For now, things seem mostly stable, but that will change quickly with any amount of wind. 

Snow profile in Slushmans

Skiers north of Bridger Bowl Ski Area noted that solar aspects (south-facing) were beginning to shed and there were a number of wet loose avalanches. Photo: E. Heiman