Photos

We got propagating test score in a 60 cm deep snowpit at the edge of Sunlight Basin (ECTP18 @ 22 cm) and at the Wilderness Boundary in a 49 cm deep pit (ECTP14 @14 cm). Photo: GNFAC

Snowpack on Henderson Bench on NE facing slope

Wet Loose avalanche at Lulu on South facing slope

Old wind slab avalanche on Henderson that likely failed on old facets near the ground after heavy wind loading. NE facing at about 10,100 ft.

1cm surf hoar at Lulu

"At 9410ft, NNW aspect, 10 degree slope, we found HS 75cm. The general structure seems right side up. There are facets at the bottom 20cm or so, but they are wet, and seem to be rounding. An ECT gave us ECTN20 at 40cm down." Photo: N. Mattes 

The head of Beaver Creek was scoured nearly to dirt and the cornice is quite large there already.  We noted one small wind slab avalanche just below it.  We found a similar avalanche in Second Yellowmule that again appeared to be from wind loading.  Both appeared to be several days old. Photo: USFS Bozeman Snow Rangers 

The head of Beaver Creek was scoured nearly to dirt and the cornice is quite large there already.  We noted one small wind slab avalanche just below it.  We found a similar avalanche in Second Yellowmule that again appeared to be from wind loading.  Both appeared to be several days old. Photo: USFS Bozeman Snow Rangers

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

Wind-rippled snow surface near the top of Slushman's Lift. Photo: GNFAC

Mark investigates a thin and weakening snowpack. Despite air temperatures near 40 degrees F mid-day on Monday, the snow surface was 21 degrees F. These large temperature gradients will drive rapid faceting. Photo: GNFAC

Despite air temperatures near 40 degrees F on Monday, the snow surface was 21 degrees F. These large temperature gradients will drive rapid faceting. Photo: GNFAC

The runout of a wet snow avalanche that occurred on Sunday. This is a rocky, south-facing run. Photo: GNFAC

On Sunday, there was an R2-D2 wet snow avalanche out of the run Close Call (see photo). This is a rocky, south-facing run. Photo: GNFAC

 A decent sized loose/ wet D1.5 came down between laps (probably 1300) in what i believe is called gangstas. South facing, steep, thin and rocky. Photo: A. Newman

Multiple pits yielded propagation in ECTs for a group in Beehive Basin on Saturday. Photo: E. Stutzman

"Intentionally triggered on a ski cut. Broke about 1 foot deep and 10 feet wide, ran on a hard compact surface below the soft wind slab. " Photo: Anonymous 

"Dug a quick pit at 8000', NE aspect, ~30deg slope

Total Height of snow: 80cm

The snowpack is generally in quite good shape for this time of year. Right side up and wet snow at the ground! No primary layer of concern where I dug and the new snow seems to be bonding well. Because of this I did not perform any stability tests." Photo: A. Newman

Big Sky Ski Patrol triggered a deep slide in the Big Couloir during avalanche mitigation work on 11/28/24: "Summit north peeled the cornice way back to the ridge and took out the upper hanging snowfield before crashing into the Couloir, leaving a 5-6’ tall crown in the chute above the dogleg." Photo: BSSP

We noticed several natural loose snow avalanches (R1 D1) in steep rocky sections of the direct E face of Mt Blackmore. Though they were not large enough to bury someone, they would have strained a skier or rider through some nasty trees and cliffs. Photo: GNFAC