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Avalanche conditions are generally safe. There's an outside chance of triggering a large slide on a very steep, rocky, wind-affected slope. Use normal caution and continue to adhere to safe travel practices. Triggering avalanches is unlikely where the snow surface remains soft, dry, and powdery.

LOW danger does not mean no danger. It’s important not to let your guard down during these times of relative stability and consistent weather. Be alert to changing conditions and continue practicing safe travel techniques: have a plan, carry rescue gear, choose a good partner, and expose only one person at a time to steep terrain. If you choose to enter avalanche terrain today, here are a couple problems that are worth keeping in mind:

Wind Slabs: Watch for areas that are relatively smooth, chalky-looking, or drifted in appearance—these are likely to be wind slabs. Other evidence of the wind's recent work are rippled surfaces and "dunes" of snow found near ridgelines and along the sides of cross-loaded gullies. They are generally small and not likely to be triggered by your weight, but there could be an isolated larger sensitive slab that's sitting atop weak faceted snow. Triggering a slide on buried facets is most likely in rocky, heavily wind-affected areas where the snowpack depth is variable. Use caution around these old wind slabs, especially in consequential terrain where getting knocked off your feet or sled would be a dangerous proposition.

Cornices: Huge cornices guard the tops of many steep slopes. Falling cornices can be great triggers for the wind slabs below them (as seen in this observation). It can be very difficult to tell where a ridgeline stops and where the cornice starts. Cornices are unpredictable and potentially unstable. Give these huge chunks of snow a wide berth and limit the time spent beneath them.

Wet Loose: Warmer overnight temperatures last night may accelerate warming of surface snow today. Look for rollerballs and punchy, moist snow on slopes facing the sun as a sign to move to colder, shadier slopes. Expect small natural activity to start on steep slopes near rocky outcrops where additional warming occurs.

Remember that small slides can have big consequences in complex terrain. Ask yourself, “What would being caught in even a small avalanche look like on this slope?” If the slope is peppered with trees, rocks, cliffs, or ends in a creekbed or a gully, consider choosing more open, gradual terrain.