Southern San Juan

The majority of slopes are generally safe from avalanches. If you were to find trouble at upper elevations, it will be in an isolated area of a slope or wind-drifted terrain feature where the overlying slab above weak snow layers is thinner – around 2 feet deep or less. Common spots to trigger an avalanche are near exposed rocks and trees, on steep rollovers, or beneath ridges and cliffs. Many riders or machines may travel up or down, and across a slope without incident before triggering an avalanche. If you decide to step out into steeper, more complex terrain, choose slopes with clean open runouts and where the snowpack is deeper than about 4 or 5 feet.