Gunnison

Wind-drifted slopes near and above treeline are the most dangerous and likely places to trigger an avalanche. A weak snow layer buried just below the recent snowfall has been quite reactive and will grow more unstable as more snow and wind build thicker slabs throughout the day. Be careful or simply avoid slopes where you find new or drifted snow deeper than a foot. This includes previous slopes that avalanched during the Thanksgiving event and have filled back in.

You can also trigger a long-running loose avalanche on shady slopes. These avalanches will start small in the new snow and gouge into weak, old snow, gaining enough mass and momentum to knock you over and take you for a ride. Southerly-facing slopes have less weak snow near the surface and are safer options.