Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger an avalanche on weak snow buried 2 to 3 feet deep near the ground. Drifted slopes with firm, rounded pillows are the most dangerous. You're most likely to trigger a dangerous avalanche from weaker areas of a slope. Like along the edges and from shallow spots near trees and rocks. You might trigger a shallow slide in recently drifted snow, but any slide can easily step down to deeper layers. Multiple people could ride a slope before you trigger a slide. Look safer riding on slopes without a slab in sheltered areas and below the treeline.