Aspen

You might see few obvious signs of instability, but you can trigger a large avalanche on or below some steep slopes. The most worrisome slopes hold a relatively thinner snowpack because they avalanche previously this season. These face west through north to east, and generally sit above 10,000 feet. Prior avalanche activity from this season left a calico patchwork of dangerous slopes next to safer ones. Snowpack tests in one spot may not represent conditions in a nearby avalanche release area. Conditions are tricky. Without an intimate picture of recent avalanche history, you can play it safe by sticking to lower-angle slopes.