Vail & Summit County

East-, southeast-, and south-facing slopes are the most dangerous, where strong winds drifted thick slabs over weak snow. Multiple large avalanches released on these aspects over the weekend. Avoiding wind-drifted areas reduces your danger, but you can trigger an avalanche from a distance or below, which may connect around terrain features. You can find safer travel on slopes less than about 30 degrees or on lower elevation slopes sheltered from the wind.