Southern San Juan

You might be able to trigger an avalanche near and above treeline, where you find a cohesive slab of snow that rests on an old slick surface or weak faceted snow. Look for and avoid pillowy or lens-shaped drifts in cross-loaded terrain and below ridgelines. Drifts of snow can range from soft to hard and are most dangerous on slopes steeper than around 35 degrees.

Safer riding conditions can be found at lower elevations and slopes protected from the wind.