Trip Planning for Bridgers

as of 5:00 am
Today0″ | 7-28 W
Apr 15 0″ | 10-30 W
Apr 14 2″ | 10-35 W
8100′     04/16 at 21:00
26℉
0.2″New
8500′     04/16 at 21:00
24℉
NE - 13mph
Gusts 32 mph
Primary Problem: Loose Wet
Bottom Line: Assess the snow surface for wet snow instabilities, and plan to be off and out from under steep, sunny slopes before the sunshine weakens the snow surface. Any rain this afternoon could further weaken the snow surface. If you plan to travel on steep slopes, look for shadier slopes with a thicker refrozen crust. Sinking past your ankle in wet snow, or seeing rollerballs, pinwheels or natural avalanches means it is time to find lower angle terrain or slopes with a colder, dry or refrozen snow surface.

Past 5 Days

Sat Apr 12

Moderate
Sun Apr 13

Low
Mon Apr 14

Low
Tue Apr 15

Moderate
Today

Moderate

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Bridger Range
Fairy Lake
Thin Wind Slab Avalanche near Hardscrabble
Incident details include images
Fairy Lake
SS-N-R1-D1-I
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: SE
Coordinates: 45.9043, -110.9580
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

I rode into Fairy Lake. There was 2-3” of new snow above the elevation of Fairy Lake, a trace below. Winds were cranking at ridge top elevation, transporting what soft snow there was. Minimal hazard formation. I spotted one fresh wind slab avalanche near Hardscrabble. The slide ran several hundred feet in steep terrain but was very thin (R1,D1). 

There was a mostly supportable crust below the new snow about 1” thick. The snow below the crust was moist. 


More Avalanche Details
Bridger Range
Bridger Peak
natural loose snow slides in Bridgers
Incident details include images
Bridger Peak
L-N-R1-D1.5
Elevation: 8,500
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 45.7701, -110.9400
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Observed multiple D1-1.5 natural dry loose avalanches (and some tiny wind slab pockets under the ridge cornice) that likely occurred during peak warming around 2-3 PM. North/sheltered aspects from ~9- 8.5k held an average of 8+ inches of dry, drifted snow. Early AM to mid-afternoon, very active wind transport followed by tapered winds and a rapid increase in temp.


More Avalanche Details
Bridger Range
The Great One
Skier carried in wind slab on Naya Nuki
Incident details include images
The Great One
AS-R1-D1.5
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 45.8926, -110.9620
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

We went on a tour in the Bridgers today, we ascended the east ridge of Naya Nuki to the entrance of the Great One. Wind was blowing and we were being careful about potential wind slabs up high.

Skier 1 ski cut the top of the chute and produced a small wind slab that ran to the break in the chute and continued another 100 vert down the east apron. After all meeting up halfway down, skier 2 proceeded to ski the E facing apron. A wind slab propagated and carried skier 2 roughly 300 vert down the apron where skier 2 was able to swim out of the fall line and came to a rest on top of the debris. Everyone was okay aside two missing ski poles.

On the way out, we saw a few more small natural wind slabs that broke naturally near ridge lines as well as point and release wet slides.


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • Winds were cranking at ridge top elevation, transporting what soft snow there was. Minimal hazard formation. I spotted one fresh wind slab avalanche near Hardscrabble. The slide ran several hundred feet in steep terrain but was very thin (R1,D1). Photo: GNFAC

  • Winds were cranking at ridge top elevation, transporting what soft snow there was. Minimal hazard formation. I spotted one fresh wind slab avalanche near Hardscrabble. Photo: GNFAC

  • "We went on a tour in the Bridgers today [Apr 5], we ascended the east ridge of Naya Nuki to the entrance of the Great One. Wind was blowing and we were being careful about potential wind slabs up high.

    Skier 1 ski cut the top of the chute and produced a small wind slab that ran to the break in the chute and continued another 100 vert down the east apron. After all meeting up halfway down, skier 2 proceeded to ski the E facing apron. A wind slab propagated and carried skier 2 roughly 300 vert down the apron where skier 2 was able to swim out of the fall line and came to a rest on top of the debris. Everyone was okay aside two missing ski poles."

  • From BBSP: " At 2.45?pm [Apr 5] a... solo skier triggered a wind loaded pocket on the main face of Saddle Peak that ran down over the cliff and produced an impressive powder cloud.... I met him... and confirm he was alone and no one was in front of him. The avalanche looked to be 2' deep on the southern flank and 5" deep on the northern flank... It entrained more snow on the way down, one 2' deep downhill wind loaded pocket and some loose wet snow. It ran into the bottom of the going home chute, gouging a large hole and then 100ft downhill left a 200ft by 30ft wide shallow debris pile."

  • (Apr 5) "...Also observed one small wind slab occurring between Saddle & the Football Field, possibly skier-triggered." Photo: G. Antonioli

  • (Apr 5 ) "Observed multiple D1-1.5 natural dry loose avalanches (and some tiny wind slab pockets under the ridge cornice) that likely occurred during peak warming around 2-3 PM. North/sheltered aspects from ~9- 8.5k held an average of 8+ inches of dry, drifted snow...." Photo: G. Antonioli

  • There was a pair of R1, D1 avalanches on Saddle Peak. One appears to be a loose snow avalanche triggered by a skier coming off of north Saddle Peak That ran a couple hundred feet. The second was a small slab coming out of Spencer’s with debris running into Going Home Chute. Photo: GNFAC

  • In one steeper roll over, I got shooting cracks and a small storm slab to break at my ski tips. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • Heavy, wet slide of recent snow released while skiing off South Saddle. The photo is from South Central. Photo: E. Volk

  • Heavy, wet slide of recent snow released while skiing off South Saddle. The photo is from South Central. Photo: E. Volk

  • "Skied the north chutes above fairy lake around 8,400 ft. Found 8-12" of new snow, with the bottom 2" consisting of large graupel. In steep terrain our sluff entrained lots of snow making for some large debris piles. Overall the snow was generally well bonded." Photo: S. Lipsteuer

  • There were a number of wet loose avalanches in Airplane Bowl. All on E/S aspects near rocks or cliffs. Most were relatively small and had not entrained much snow from the surface or gouged deeper than a few inches. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • There were a number of wet loose avalanches in Airplane Bowl. All on E/S aspects near rocks or cliffs. Most were relatively small and had not entrained much snow from the surface or gouged deeper than a few inches. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • Noticed crown and debris on drive up Bridger Canyon this morning.  Looks like a wind slab. Photo: Peter H

  • Understanding Avalanche Safety Preparedness – 5-Minute Survey for Motorized Users

    We need your input! Eastern Oregon University is conducting a survey to better understand avalanche safety preparedness among motorized backcountry users like you. Your feedback will help us learn more about who is purchasing and practicing with avalanche rescue gear (beacon, probe, shovel) and participating in avalanche education—and why some riders aren’t.  The survey is confidential and anonymous.  

    Your feedback is invaluable in improving avalanche education and awareness. Please take a moment to share your experience and help us make a difference.

    https://eoustmhs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3L8QKAuZzcxJBLo

    Thank you for your time and for being a part of this important effort!

  • We skied past a wet loose avalanche that came off of the south face of Bradley‘s Meadow. It was slightly bigger than the rest of the wet snow activity that I observed during the day. Photo: GNFAC

  • The snow ranger crew was riding around the Bridgers today and we spotted this slide in the bowl to the south of Hardscrabble peak.  It looked fairly recent (last 2 days) but a little hard to tell due to the new snow since yesterday and blowing snow today.  Photo: USFS Snow Rangers

     

  • As we neared the ridgeline and shifted to a more southerly aspect, we noted scalloped and scoured snow surfaces and the development of thin wind skins and a few 1-2" wind slabs. Photo: GNFAC

  • Nature or cornice triggered slides in Arrowhead and Hardscrabble Bowls. Photo: I Freeland

  • Nature or cornice triggered slides in Arrowhead and Hardscrabble Bowls. Photo: I Freeland

  • Nature or cornice triggered slides in Arrowhead and Hardscrabble Bowls. Photo: I Freeland

  • Isolated wind slabs today in the southern Bridgers. Photo: E. Selinger

  • Mar 15 Winds in the Frazier Basin zone were stronger than expected with moderate to strong gusts at the ridge, increasing through the day. We noticed two large windslab pockets that had released since yesterday’s snow. One at the base of Hardscrabble Peak on a N aspect, the other in one of the SE facing gullies that access the Peak 9299/Hollywood Headwall ridge (see photo). 

  • Mountain goat hanging out in Wolverine Bowl

  • Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.

  • Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.

  • Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.

  • Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

  • Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

  • Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

  • Mar 7 obs: "There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday.... The new snow was low density and sluffed easily on steep shady northerlies. On steep slopes facing the sun (south and east, and probably west) the new snow sat on a crust and became moist as the sun warmed it up and started to slide under skis. We saw a couple very small natural loose snow slides below rock outcrops on south facing slopes. Air temperatures were well below freezing, especially with wind chill, but the sun quickly warmed the recent new snow." Photo: GNFAC

  • From obs on 3/4/25:

    "Saw a few sluffs in the new snow triggered by skiers in the very steep terrain just north of the Bridger Bowl ski area boundary (see photo). These sluffs were small, definitely not large enough to bury someone."

  • Observed multiple wet loose slides naturally triggering and running on south facing slopes beyond bradleys and on the south facing aspects of hourglass chute.

  • Observed multiple wet loose slides naturally triggering and running on south facing slopes beyond bradleys and on the south facing aspects of hourglass chute. Photo: T McGarry

  • From obs.: "Saw a recent cornice triggered wind slab off of Hardscrabble Peak, crown looked fairly fresh. There was a second crown line below the rock band. Conditions were very windy, with snow still being transported. Most snow surfaces were wind affected, but saw no cracking or collapsing." Photo: F. Miller

  • Skiers triggered a medium sized cornice fall that triggered a dry loose (sluff) avalanche that created large powder cloud.

  • Toured out to Frazier Basin and turned around seeing widespread avalanches and active wind loading. Despite our pits on the Throne the day before showing no weak layers, the amount of wind loading and potential for slabs over density changes gave us pause. Good skiing and sledding down low.

  • Toured out to Frazier Basin and turned around seeing widespread avalanches and active wind loading. Despite our pits on the Throne the day before showing no weak layers, the amount of wind loading and potential for slabs over density changes gave us pause. Good skiing and sledding down low.

  • Cornice broke in between north and south saddle peaks.  The initial propagation width was hard to distinguish.  Maybe 50 feet.  About 18 inches deep at height of crown.  Photo: Anonymous

     

Videos- Bridgers

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Bridger Base Area

Ridge, Looking North

Alpine Apron

Snowpit Profiles- Bridgers

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Bridgers

Extended Forecast for

10 Miles NNE Bozeman MT

Winter Storm Warning April 16, 10:07pm until April 18, 12:00amClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Storm Warning
  •   Winter Storm Warning April 16, 10:07pm until April 18, 12:00am

    NOW until 12:00am Fri

    Winter Storm Warning

  • Tonight

    Low: 22 °F

    Heavy Snow
    and Blustery

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Snow before noon, then snow showers, mainly after noon.  High near 26. Blustery, with a northeast wind 21 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    High: 26 °F

    Snow and
    Blustery

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: A chance of snow showers before midnight, then a slight chance of snow after midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. North northeast wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 14 °F

    Chance Snow
    Showers

  • Friday

    Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. North northeast wind around 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

    High: 31 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. West wind 9 to 11 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

    Low: 20 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 45. South southwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

    High: 45 °F

    Sunny

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow after midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

    Low: 33 °F

    Partly Cloudy
    then Slight
    Chance Snow

  • Sunday

    Sunday: Snow likely, mainly after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

    High: 43 °F

    Snow Likely

The Last Word

Bridger Bowl Ski Area is closed for the season, and uphill travel is allowed. Please give employees and machinery plenty of room as they work to clean up from the season. Backcountry conditions will develop as spring storms impact the range. There are no ski patrol services, avalanche mitigation or terrain closures as conditions evolve. Call 911 for any incidents requiring outside assistance.  

Our last daily avalanche forecast will be Sunday, April 20th. We will issue updates on Mondays and Fridays through the end of April.

04 / 15 / 25  <<  
 
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