Vail & Summit County

You can trigger an avalanche where you find recently drifted snow forming dense, cohesive slabs at upper elevations in the Gore Range. Look for and avoid rounded surfaces that look textured below ridgelines, cornices, or convex rollovers. Strong winds will allow snow to drift further down a slope than anticipated. While unlikely, a smaller slide in drifted snow might trigger an avalanche that breaks deeper into the snowpack. Seek wind-sheltered terrain without dense snow surfaces.