Sangre de Cristo

You can trigger an avalanche where you find fresh wind drifts of snow near and above treeline. A potent winter storm brings moderate snowfall and strong westerly winds to the area on Thursday night into Friday. Avalanche danger will rise as new snow accumulates. The most dangerous slopes are where you find stiff slabs of drifted snow on northwest to north through southeast-facing terrain.

Wind drifted snow is often found below ridgelines and in cross-loaded terrain features, like gullies. Be on the lookout for winds actively loading leeward slopes and avoid traveling on stiff, lens-shaped or pillowy snow surfaces. If you experience cracking in the new snow, or feel hollow snow underneath you, retreat to lower-angled or wind-sheltered slopes.

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