Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger a dangerous avalanche on steep slopes, from the base of slopes, or from a distance. You will see evidence of recently drifted snow, but that is just adding layers on top of the problematic weak layer. Avalanches you trigger in recent layers will probably break down to the deeper weak layer once the slide is moving. You may not see obvious signs of instability like natural avalanches, cracking, or collapsing, before you trigger an avalanche. You can find safer riding on slopes less than about 30 degrees in steepness.