Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger an avalanche in recent storm snow that breaks about a foot deep. Look for avoid drifted pillows of recent snow directly below steep ridgelines and convex rollovers. Cracking in the new snow is a sign it is unstable and a signal to avoid steep slopes.

You can also trigger slides that break deeply, close to the ground. Loud, booming collapses are a sign you can affect weak layers close to the ground. You are most likely to trigger a deeper slide from a thinner part of the slope. Like near exposed rocks or bushes. Remember, small slides close to the surface can trigger larger, deeper avalanches too. Look for safer riding on lower-angle and wind-sheltered slopes.