Wet Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–3
You could trigger a wet avalanche where new snow prevents refreeze in the snowpack at lower elevations. You should avoid steep slopes if you find yourself punching through a crust into wet snow. At upper elevations, the danger will increase during the day. Close to ridgelines, avoid cornices and rounded pillows of snow where the wind has drifted stiff snow. Cracking in the new snow should alert you to the unstable nature of the slope. You can find safer riding on slopes sheltered from the wind or those with less than about 8 inches of new or wind-drifted snow.