there is some snow up top.
But ACCESS to the higher elevations is your challenge.
ZERO SNOW in the valley to speak of.
And only about 18 inches up top.
Island Park / West Yellowstone Riding Conditions for 2023-2024
- Thread starter christopher
- Start date
But ACCESS to the higher elevations is your challenge.
ZERO SNOW in the valley to speak of.
And only about 18 inches up top.
Not looking good but I don’t have my sled yet anyway
nope, not looking very good right now.
But all of us know that it can and often does change with just ONE BIG SNOW STORM blowing through.
We can go from Zero to HERO in just a couple days.
At this point we do have a "solid" base up high.
May cause all manner of AVY DANGERS as the season progresses though, only time will tell.
But we need another solid 18" to be relatively "Safe" in off trail riding to limit the number of A-Arms we sacrifice to the great mountain snow gods!!
INBOUND!
ya
its seriously about freaking time.
Hopefully the snow begins in the next several hours later this evening.
Right now its still BONE DRY
Snowing at my house.
GENERAL AVALANCHE INFORMATION
Forecasts – Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
bridgertetonavalanchecenter.org
TETONS
PrintISSUED
Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:49AMEXPIRES
Sunday, December 3, 2023 - 8:00AMAUTHOR
Travis Baldwin
THE BOTTOM LINE
Our weak snowpack is about to be stressed with a significant snow load at mid and upper elevations. Evaluate the snowpack carefully and use conservative decision-making this weekend with the incoming storm. Pay attention to the snowpack and watch for shooting cracks, whumphing and active wind-loading above 8000 feet. These are all signs of an unstable snowpack. Be mindful of what is above you and remember that slopes can be triggered from below. The consequences of getting caught with a thin snowpack can be traumatic.Daily zone forecasts with danger ratings will begin this weekend when there is adequate snow cover.
FORECAST DISCUSSION
We have several considerations moving into the weekend including the weak existing snowpack, an incoming storm and the avalanche problems that will develop.The Set-up:
The last week of clear and cold weather has driven facet development in early season snow on shady aspects at mid and upper elevations. As a result, we have a weak underlying snowpack. This observation shows a typical scene of what could be below the surface. Be wary of thin spots, particularly above 8000’ on NW-N-NE-E aspects in steep, rocky terrain, where you are more likely to trigger an avalanche.
In addition, last week’s strong wind event created thick, stiff wind slabs. Winds were out of the east and slab formation was unusual in size and distribution. These slabs are generally firm and can be triggered from anywhere on the slope. The consequences of getting caught by one of these stubborn, older wind slabs could be severe given the many obstacles peppering avalanche paths. This observation and this one are great examples of this problem encountered last week.
What’s Next:
Forecasts are calling for a significant amount of moisture with the storm this weekend, starting today (Friday). Several inches have already accumulated at mid-elevations in the Tetons since midnight. Up to 30" of new snow consisting of over 2.5” of water, could fall in the upper elevations. A lot of weight is about to be added to the existing snowpack. West and southwest winds will start to ramp up this evening (Friday) and continue to climb on Saturday, possibly gusting above 40mph, particularly above 8,000’ in the Tetons. Slabs will build on leeward (N-NE-E) terrain in the alpine and any mid-elevation terrain getting cross loaded.
Shifting our focus to future snowpack issues, monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old snow. Look for evidence of wind loading around ridgetops on all aspects as well as mid-elevation terrain exposed to the wind. Pillows, thicker drifts, whumphing and cracking are signs of this problem and poor stability. Below 8000’ in most zones, and on sunny slopes, the snowpack is very thin to nonexistent. This means that whatever snow falls this weekend is the only snow covering rocks, stumps, and trees. Continue to travel cautiously if you choose to go into the mountains.
This weekend and through early next week, maintain extra margin for error knowing that the increased snow load and wind will increase the avalanche hazard. Select conservative terrain, use good travel techniques and cautious route-finding to reduce exposure to the avalanche hazard. It’s going to take a lot more snow to bury obstacles and early season problems. Be patient as this happens.
![PXL_20231124_182539397_656121ce3a8a1[1].jpg](https://www.snowest.com/forum/data/attachments/356/356579-33b90132eff8cbb30fecc8b861d20027.jpg "PXL_20231124_182539397_656121ce3a8a1[1].jpg")
![PXL_20231124_190138771_656121cd19b4d[1].jpg](https://www.snowest.com/forum/data/attachments/356/356580-e8e9d8c03354a19f65317aea186b6feb.jpg "PXL_20231124_190138771_656121cd19b4d[1].jpg")
MEDIA
WEATHER FORECAST
HAPPY DECEMBER! A series of back-to-back storms will begin to impact the area today. The Tetons, Snake River and Salt River Ranges will bear the brunt of the storm with Togwotee receiving less snow. Winds will peak Saturday evening with gusts in the 40s mph.Today: Snowfall has started in many areas and will continue throughout the day. Southwest winds increase throughout the day with gusts in the 20s mph in the mountains. Five to ten inches of snow is expected above 9000' in the western mountains.
Tomorrow through Monday: Expect a lull in snowfall Saturday morning as the jet stream pushes the next system in from the northwest. The second system will bring increased moisture, wind and rising temperatures to the area through Monday. On Saturday, west and southwest winds will ramp up with alpine zones seeing gusts up to 40 mph. Snowfall rates will also increase throughout the day. The bulk of snow accumulation this weekend will happen Saturday afternoon and evening along with our highest winds. Temperatures will remain cool through Saturday but start to rise on Sunday with mountain temperatures reaching the 20's and lower elevations warming to the freezing mark, creating an upside-down effect (heavier and denser snow on top of lighter snow).
Looks like 6"-12" on the higher snotels. Few inches down low. The higher amounts are South of West Yellowstone/East of Island Park. Same area has the most total base at around 30"
First ride of the season
First ride on the new sled.
Mountain was utterly deserted. No other riders to be seen.
Parking was empty and untracked at big springs.
Snow was 6” at parking lot and up till 7,500ft, then it started to jump. By 8,000ft we were in 12-18” of fresh. On the ridgeline of Black Canyon we were in 30-32” of total snow. It was ALMOST safe to ride in the trees but I could feel “THINGS” beneath me.
If the snow continues over night and on Sunday, Monday should be EPIC!!
Watch this video on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...BRL2VYjmPl&id=100001302135208&mibextid=v7YzmG
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First ride on the new sled.
Mountain was utterly deserted. No other riders to be seen.
Parking was empty and untracked at big springs.
Snow was 6” at parking lot and up till 7,500ft, then it started to jump. By 8,000ft we were in 12-18” of fresh. On the ridgeline of Black Canyon we were in 30-32” of total snow. It was ALMOST safe to ride in the trees but I could feel “THINGS” beneath me.
If the snow continues over night and on Sunday, Monday should be EPIC!!
Watch this video on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...BRL2VYjmPl&id=100001302135208&mibextid=v7YzmGSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Awesome, good to see rideable snow
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Video 1.
Video 2.
Video 2.
trying to get all my stuff fixed after my first ride of the season, then talking everyone into heading up that way. Tough to learn the hard way that the dealer does not stock the steering post, bushings, handle bars, have to get that stuff from canada.
What steering post do you need?
2023 turbo x xpert 175 post, it has arrived from what the dealer said still waiting for handle bar's, which now come with heaters, and heater pads, and grips. Had it all shipped red label everything arrived but he bars.
Ok, I have a 2024 steering post available if you have another misshapen.
Made it back up to IP today for Ride #2.
What a difference a day makes!
Rode the EXACT same place as on Saturday, but there was MOAR SNOW..
Found a thin shadow of our previous tracks that were covered with 6-12" of fresh.
SnoTel is NOT showing that, but mine were the ONLY tracks in this area, and they were almost totally GONE.
So there may have been other forces at work??
But the snow was VASTLY BETTER/DEEP and much more rideable.!
What a difference a day makes!
Rode the EXACT same place as on Saturday, but there was MOAR SNOW..
Found a thin shadow of our previous tracks that were covered with 6-12" of fresh.
SnoTel is NOT showing that, but mine were the ONLY tracks in this area, and they were almost totally GONE.
So there may have been other forces at work??
But the snow was VASTLY BETTER/DEEP and much more rideable.!
Similar threads
