Vail & Summit County

You can trigger an avalanche where recently drifted snow forms dense and cohesive slabs at upper elevations. Avoid lens-shaped pillows of snow directly below ridgelines and convex rollovers and inside of gully features on northerly and easterly-facing slopes. Although unlikely, you might trigger an avalanche that breaks more deeply in the snowpack, especially if you trigger a smaller slide in recently drifted snow first. If you notice recent avalanches or shooting cracks within the new snow, move to wind-sheltered low-angle slopes for safer travel.