Northern San Juan

You could trigger avalanches on steep slopes where you find a cohesive slab of snow that rests over an old slick surface or weak faceted snow. Look for and avoid pillowy or lens-shaped drifts. Expect to find the deepest snow drifts in cross-loaded terrain and below ridgelines. Drifts of snow can range from soft to hard.

Watch for cracking in the snow as a sign that the recent snow has transitioned into a slab and a warning to avoid steep slopes. As the surface slab stiffens, avalanches might be triggered from a small distance or from below.

Safer riding conditions can be found on wind-protected, less steep slopes.