Vail & Summit County

You can trigger an avalanche on west through east to south-facing slopes at all elevations, but it is more likely at upper elevations. You can trigger a smaller avalanche in the upper snowpack, but the real danger is triggering a large avalanche that breaks near the ground in old, weak snow. You are most likely to trigger a deeper avalanche from a shallower part of a slope, like near exposed rocks or shrubs. A small slide in the upper snowpack can easily trigger a larger, more dangerous avalanche. Wind-sheltered slopes less than about 30 degrees are a safer travel option.