Steamboat & Flat Tops

Be careful on any steep slope where you find more than about six inches of new or wind-drifted snow. Although you could easily trigger an avalanche in the surface snow, weak layers around three feet deep are a bigger concern. Even though you may not see cracking in the new surface snow, consider if you have a weak layer beneath you. The new snow will be a very effective camouflage for shallow snowpack areas where you could trigger a deadly slide. Multiple people could ride a slope before you trigger a slide. You can find safer travel on slopes less than about 30 degrees.