Southern San Juan

Natural avalanches are becoming less likely, but you can still trigger a dangerous avalanche that breaks over three feet deep. You can trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow that breaks into deeper layers, resulting in a large avalanche. You can trigger an avalanche from the bottom of slopes, so give steep terrain above you a wide buffer.

Avoid areas with evidence of recent wind drifting, such as sculpted features or lens-shaped pillows. Stick to slopes less than about thirty degrees without steep terrain overhead or below-treeline areas for safer options.