Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger avalanches where westerly winds formed new drifts of snow on steep slopes. Look for and avoid lens-shaped pillows of snow on steep slopes below ridges, inside gullies, and behind convex rollovers. You're most likely to find new drifts on north through east to south-facing slopes. But treat drifts on cross-loaded slopes as guilty until proven innocent. Cracking in the new snow is a sign to avoid steep slopes. Seek out wind-sheltered slopes, or slopes less than about 35 degrees, as safer options.

The bigger, but less likely, hazard is triggering a slide that breaks on weak layers buried 3 feet deep. If you find the wrong spot on a slope, like a thinner area near exposed obstacles, you can trigger a slide that breaks on these buried layers. Small slides in drifted snow can also trigger larger avalanches.

Beware of wet snow shedding off steep slopes on the south half of the compass. If you see pinwheels or rollerballs in the snow, or you're sinking up to your ankles in wet snow, you should avoid steep slopes. Make sure you're aware of what's above you and below you.