Sawatch

Identify and avoid wind-drifted slopes near and above treeline to dramatically decrease your chances of being caught in an avalanche. If the snow feels hard and hollow, then you are likely on a wind-drifted slope and should stick to low-angle terrain. You can find safer travel options in wind-sheltered terrain where your feet or skis sink through the snow at least to your boot tops or your knees.

If you are traveling on shady slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, you could trigger a smaller but still concerning loose avalanche. These will mostly be concerning on long, sustained slopes where even a small avalanche can take you for a dangerous ride, and if you are above a terrain trap, such as rocks or a creek, it could seriously injure you.