Vail & Summit County

You can trigger avalanches on steep northwest to north through east facing slopes where dense layers of snow sit over weak, soft snow. This strong over weak snowpack structure exists in gullies and areas near ridgelines. Cracking and collapsing are signs of unstable snow and indicators of slopes you should avoid. You can find safer travel on slopes sheltered from the wind and southerly slopes that did not have snow before the recent storm.

Saturday, new snow and wind-loaded snow will increase avalanche hazard, especially at upper elevations. Avalanches will grow in size and be more sensitive to triggers.