Avalanche forecast

Front Range

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

Avalanche Summary

Drifting from snow and westerly winds earlier in the week means you can trigger an avalanche where you find slabs of drifted snow on steep leeward slopes. Avalanches will be easier to trigger in areas that get more than about 6 inches of snow Thursday into Friday. Any avalanche has the potential to gouge down to deeper layers and grow larger. North, northeast, and east-facing slopes are the most dangerous.

This recent large avalanche shows that there are places with thick slabs of drifted snow over very weak layers near the ground. These conditions seem to be more pronounced around Vail Pass.

Regions covered