Aspen

The threat of triggering a deep avalanche on a steep northerly- or easterly-facing slope remains the biggest concern. Avoid slopes with a highly variable snowpack depth or those with protruding rocks, cliffs, or scattered trees - you can most easily trigger a large slide from a shallow spot near one of these common trigger points. Look for safer options on southerly-facing terrain. Call it a day when sink past your ankles in wet snow.