A Look Inside The Bridger-Teton’s 2024/25 Avalanche Season

As we soak up the last of summer, the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC) just gave us a crucial look back, and a reality check, before the 2025/26 season kicks off. The Center just dropped its annual report, and it’s a must-read for anyone who slides on snow in the Tetons.

Forecasters called last winter "unremarkable and average in many ways," but "average" in the Tetons is anything but boring. The report details a season marked by warm storms, significant human-triggered activity, and numerous close calls that serve as a stark reminder of the respect this terrain commands.

Let's break down the big numbers. A total of 373 avalanches were observed across the BTAC forecast zones. Of those, a staggering 135 were human-triggered. The report noted 18 of those were classified as unintentional near-misses, and several incidents involved multiple riders being caught, carried, or buried.

Perhaps the most sobering takeaway is a trend that’s been growing since 2020: an increase in accidents involving experienced backcountry users. As the report states, these close calls highlight "the need for accurate forecasts and more avalanche education, even for experienced skiers and riders."

On the forecasting front, the BTAC team implemented new, more forecast zones to give users better, more localized information for ranges like the Big Holes and Gros Ventre. This effort is powered not just by the pros, but by the community. Over half of the 737 snow observations submitted last season came directly from the public, a testament to the engaged and crucial role we all play in crowd-sourcing safety information.

The bottom line? The data doesn't lie. Even in an "average" year, the mountains pack a punch. As the countdown to winter begins, now is the time to dial in your kit, sign up for a refresher course, and download that app. A huge thanks to the BTAC crew for their tireless work keeping us informed.