Avalanche forecast

Northwest Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The snowpack is gradually stabilizing, but the most attractive terrain still carries the threat of triggering an avalanche that breaks near the ground. On previously windloaded slopes or sheltered northerly terrain where the snowpack is deeper than about 2 feet, stick to smaller features, clean runouts, or lower-angle slopes to enjoy the better snow quality while keeping the odds in your favor.  Elsewhere, avalanche hazards are rare, and early-season ground hazards are common.  

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Snowfall and wind drifting in early December formed slabs up to a few feet thick over facets near the ground.  These weak layers are most widespread on the northern half of the compass and exist as collapsible crusts on some high-elevation southeast slopes.  Though the snowpack is adjusting under mild weather, the threat lingers on some slopes with well-developed slabs, most commonly at mid- to upper elevations and on leeward slopes.  Carefully assess the snowpack structure and consider terrain consequences before riding in steep terrain on problematic aspects.  Default to lower slope angles or travel on terrain that was bare ground through November when in doubt.

    (12/10/2025) 

    A natural avalanche from last weekend on easterly terrain.  It represents the type of wind-drifted terrain at upper elevations where you can trigger a dangerous avalanche.

    Photo: Crested Butte Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The most appealing riding right now—cold, dry aspects and deeper slopes with thicker, more supportive snowpacks—also demand the most respect as they still harbor the potential for an avalanche that breaks near the ground. Since our natural cycle last weekend, the snowpack has been steadily adjusting, and there are fewer unstable slopes overall.  As obvious warning signs like collapses and shooting cracks diminish, you may not be able to sniff out the rotten eggs until you’re carving a turn mid-rollover.

Thoughtful terrain choices remain an effective way to manage this risk. When traveling into the more suspect slopes highlighted above, favor smaller features and terrain with clean runouts. Keep safer alternatives in your back pocket: lower-angle slopes, slopes where the snowpack is too soft and cohesionless to harbor a slab, slopes that avalanched last weekend, and slopes where this month's snow fell on dirt.  

Regions covered