Northern San Juan

The new snow is adding stress to a weak and shallow snowpack making it easier to trigger a dangerous avalanche on most steep slopes. Avalanches will be larger on northerly and easterly-facing slopes with fresh slabs around a foot deep, or where winds built stiffer layers of drifted snow. Avalanches on wind-loaded slopes have the best potential to step down to deeper weak layers. Look for and avoid areas that look smooth and rounded. Make conservative terrain choices and stick to slopes around 30 degrees in steepness, without steeper slopes above for safer riding options.