A Christmas Storm
December 25th, 2008Posted in Skiing in the Tetons
Yesterday, the Tetons got a breather between storms. Evan and I took advantage of the gap between storms to join the crowd of backcountry skiers on a sunny post storm morning on Teton Pass. We booted up Mount Glory to ski some nice day old powder on Glory’s west flank. The avalanche danger was posted as being “considerable” so we stuck to lower angle terrain to be safe.
Evan plying in the powder, Teton Pass
Today (Merry Christmas everyone!) I’m seeing a new storm is active outside. The webcams up on Teton Pass are showing images of heavily falling snow. The Teton Bridger National Forest Avie Report is saying there is 15″-18″ of new snow and the avie danger is off the charts, with EXTREME danger at high and mid elevations and even CONSIDERABLE danger at low elevations.
Here’s the BYNF take away quote:
An Avalanche Warning has been issued for the area through 11pm tonight. At the mid and high elevations widespread areas of unstable snow exist and naturally triggered large destructive avalanches are certain. Continued snowfall and strong winds throughout the day will increase the size and sensitivity of these avalanches with slabs three to six feet in depth expected later in the day. Backcountry Travel Should Be Avoided.
It sounds like the perfect day to ski with family and friends in bounds at a resort.
So why has Grand Targhee just posted their morning snow report with only 1″ of new snow reported? The few miles seperating the snow recording meters at Jackson and Targhee rarely produce this great a disparity of snowfall readings, but this might be one of those rare days. Or, Targhee may have to do a reality update later this morning when the day staff shows up. I’m hoping for the latter!
Leave a Comment