Steamboat & Flat Tops

Look for and avoid newly drifted snow at upper elevations. You can trigger a small avalanche where you find cohesive drifts of snow on steep, leeward slopes. Cracking in recently drifted snow is a sign to avoid steep slopes.

If you find the wrong spot on a slope, you might trigger a slide on weak layers buried 2 to 3 feet from the surface on northerly and east-facing slopes. These slides are less likely, but more dangerous. Avoiding slopes with variable snow cover and exposed trigger points is a good way to reduce your chances of triggering a deeper avalanche.

You can reduce your hazard on Sunday by looking for wind-sheltered slopes at lower elevations.