Front Range

You can trigger a small avalanche where the wind has drifted snow over buried weak layers. Drifted snow can be identified by its smooth rounded appearance and found on steep slopes below ridgelines, in gullies, and on steep rollovers. These slides are expected to be small but there is a chance they could break down into deeper layers creating a larger, more dangerous avalanche. Deeper layers are easier to trigger from shallow spots in the snowpack. Even small avalanches can be dangerous if you get knocked off your feet or carried into high-consequence terrain. You can find safer travel on planar slopes with a smooth outrun, a consistently deep snowpack, and no wind-drifting.