Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
You can still trigger a large slab avalanche on some northerly and east-facing slopes where you find a stiff slab resting on weak snow in the lower snowpack. You can also trigger a small avalanche in freshly wind-drifted snow that runs above the shallowly buried frozen crusts. Move away from steep slopes with wet snow later in the day.
On March 7th, a backcountry skier was caught and killed in an avalanche near Vail Pass. The avalanche released on a northeast-facing slope near treeline, about 2 to 3 feet deep. Our deepest condolences to the deceased skier's family, friends, and community. You can read the preliminary accident report here.