Southern San Juan

If you find the shallow area of the slope where it is easier to impact weak, collapsible snow layers, you might trigger a large, dangerous avalanche. Likely trigger spots exists near shallowly buried rocks, on steep rollovers, and below ridges and cliffs. Avalanches will be larger on wind-drifted northerly and easterly-facing slopes, and may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Use caution on steeper slopes if the snow surface transitions from soft to stiff, or in places with a rounded or wave-like appearance. Don’t place too much faith in a stiff-over-weak structure, and odds are you’ll observe no warning signs before the slope fails.

Safer riding options exists below treeline, or on low-angled, wind-sheltered slopes without steep overhead hazard.