Steamboat & Flat Tops

There are lots of places you can trigger a big avalanche. An intense winter storm dropped 3 feet or more of snow in the past week. Westerly winds drifted this snow into slabs on many aspects and elevations, but upper-elevation easterly-facing slopes are the most dangerous. Avalanches breaking below the storm snow will be large enough to bury and kill you. Look for and avoid steep drifted slopes below ridges, in gullies, or behind convex rollovers. Make conservative terrain choices and avoid traveling on or below slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.

Additional snow Thursday into Friday means you can trigger small slides near the surface. If you see cracks in front of you in the snow or hear audible collapses, avoid steep slopes. Remember, small slides near the surface can easily trigger larger, more deadly avalanches.