Aspen

Several large, natural avalanches occurred on Friday highlighting how sensitive the snowpack is right now. The most dangerous slopes face west through north to southeast. Here, you can trigger a deadly avalanche, you can trigger it from a long distance away, and you might not see any signs of instability such as cracking or collapsing in the snow before triggering one. Don't let a lack of unstable signs lure you into thinking a slope is safe and be aware of steep slopes above you and other backcountry travelers nearby. If you choose to travel on these aspects of concern anyway, you can increase your chances of survival by sticking to slopes that did not avalanche earlier this year and avoid slopes with terrain traps such as a cliff, creek, or gully below you. Safer travel options exist on wind-sheltered south and southwest-facing slopes. You can always drastically reduce your chances of being caught in an avalanche by avoiding travel on or under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.