Front Range

You can trigger a slide in recently drifted snow. A cohesive slab is resting on weak snow 1 to 2 feet below the surface. Light winds mean slabs may remain soft, but even soft slabs can avalanche. Cracking in the snow is a warning sign you found a slab. Small slides near the surface can trigger larger avalanches. You can find safer travel on slopes sheltered from the wind without a surface slab.

Although less likely, you can trigger a slide that breaks deeper on weak snow close to the ground. Avoid this problem by traveling on slopes with a consistently deep snowpack without trigger points like exposed rocks or bushes. Multiple people could travel on a slope before you find a weaker area and trigger a deeper avalanche.