Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger avalanches that break on weak layers several feet deep. Be most careful on northwest through north to east-facing slopes where these weak layers are most pronounced. The snowpack is getting strong enough that you may not see any signs of instability, like cracking or collapsing, before you trigger an avalanche. You may see some cracking in the recent snow, especially where it has been drifted by winds. The deeper weak layers are the real concern, though. You can find safer conditions on southerly-facing slopes and in wind-sheltered areas.