Vail & Summit County

You can trigger an avalanche that breaks 2 to 3 feet deep on a buried weak layer in the middle of the snowpack. It may be easier to trigger avalanches in the near treeline elevation band where slabs are softer, making it easier to affect the buried weak layer. Avalanches will be larger and more dangerous in wind-loaded areas. These avalanches can be hard to predict, and you will not see signs of danger before these avalanches break. Assess the snowpack carefully before riding in steep terrain on northwest through northeast to southeast-facing aspects near and above treeline.

Temperatures will be in the mid to high thirties on Saturday. New snow from earlier in the week will get wet and easily slide, especially on southerly-facing slopes where it rests on stiff crusts. Most of these avalanches will be small, but they can send you for a dangerous ride.