Vail & Summit County

The freshly drifting snow will exacerbate our ongoing avalanche concerns, and wind-loaded alpine slopes will be most dangerous. Any avalanche in the drifted snow could step into deeper weak layers.

Reports continue to come in of avalanches triggered from flat ground below slopes, and most avalanches triggered are large enough to kill you. You cannot rely on cracking or collapsing to indicate that you have found dangerous snow. Assume that if you are traveling on northwest through east to southeast facing slopes, there is a dangerous weak layer below you, and avoid being on or connected to slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

On March 7th, a backcountry skier was caught and killed in an avalanche near Vail Pass. The avalanche released on a northeast-facing slope near treeline, about 2 feet deep. Our deepest condolences to the deceased skier's family, friends, and community. You can read the preliminary accident report here.