Grand Teton Ski Descent
Tetons, WY
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
No avalanche bulletin is being issued for the Tetons right now — it's late May and BTAC has ended seasonal forecasting. That means you're on your own for snowpack assessment. The snowpack at elevation is limited (31 inches reported), temps are warming toward 45°F by Sunday with SW winds building to 25 mph, so wet snow and wind effect are your main concerns. Go early, get off before noon.
41°/26°F · Partly Sunny
No Rating (0/5)
31" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
14h 58m daylight · Sunrise 5:52 AM · Sunset 8:50 PM
Full Briefing
BTAC has closed out the season, so there's no official avalanche rating — not because conditions are safe, but because forecasting has ended. The discussion note is a standard late-season reminder: watch for recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and whumpfing. On a classic Grand Teton ski descent in late May, the primary hazard is wet loose avalanches triggered by solar heating. With highs reaching 41°F Saturday and 45°F Sunday at valley level, summit temps will be significantly colder but the steep upper couloirs and aprons will be softening fast once the sun hits them. Plan to be on the technical sections before 9 AM and through the main apron before 11 AM.
The SNOTEL picture is rough for this trip. The closest relevant station data isn't great — the Long Lake reading (840 ft) at 61 inches is a low-elevation anomaly and almost certainly reflects melt, not mountain snowpack. The 31-inch reported depth at the objective elevation is what you're working with. That's a thin, late-season snowpack on the Grand. Expect variable coverage, exposed rock, and potential for a punchy, recrystallized base under whatever surface snow remains. Scout your line carefully on the approach.
Wind is a factor Saturday and especially Sunday. Saturday brings 10–23 mph WSW, building to 16–25 mph SW on Sunday with a 21% chance of snow showers Sunday afternoon. That SW flow will load east-facing aspects — relevant if you're descending the Ford-Stettner or any east couloir variation. Sunday's precip chance is minor, but any new snow on a thin, poorly-bonded late-season pack plus wind loading on a line you haven't been able to assess is a combination worth respecting. If you're flexible, Saturday is the cleaner day.
Almost 15 hours of daylight works in your favor — you have room to start early and not feel rushed. Be on the glacier by first light (5:52 AM sunrise), summit by mid-morning, and commit to your descent timing before solar warming peaks. Stream crossings and fire are non-issues. The biggest logistical wildcard is snow coverage on the approach trails, which at late May could mean significant bootpacking on bare ground before you reach skiable snow.
Waypoints
Lupine Meadows Trailhead
Main trailhead for Grand Teton climbs. Large parking area.
6,801 ft
Garnet Canyon Junction
Junction where the trail enters Garnet Canyon.
9,501 ft
Lower Saddle
Bivy site at the Lower Saddle (11,600 ft). Most parties spend the night here.
11,601 ft
Grand Teton Summit
Summit of the Grand Teton at 13,775 ft. Begin ski descent from here.
13,776 ft
Route Details
Distance
13.0 mi
Elevation Gain
7,201 ft
Elevation Loss
7,201 ft
Max Elevation
13,776 ft
Estimated Days
2
Trailhead
Lupine Meadows Trailhead
Best Season
Late April through mid-June. Requires consolidated spring snow conditions.
Permit Required
Climbing permit required from Grand Teton National Park. Register at Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
About This Route
Skiing the Grand Teton is the ultimate objective for advanced backcountry skiers in the Tetons. The Ford-Stettner couloir and Stettner couloir provide the most popular ski descent routes from the 13,775-foot summit, requiring expert mountaineering and skiing skills. The approach begins at the Lupine Meadows trailhead and ascends through Garnet Canyon to the Lower Saddle at 11,600 feet. From the saddle, the route climbs through increasingly technical terrain to the summit. The ski descent involves sustained 45-50 degree slopes with exposure. This is a serious mountaineering objective that requires perfect conditions, expert skills, and fitness. Most parties stage at the Lower Saddle bivy site. Spring is the preferred season when the snow is consolidated but before it melts out. A climbing permit is required.
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