Sangre de Cristo

You can trigger large avalanches on slopes that face north, northeast, and east, especially in higher elevation areas that catch and hold wind-drifted snow. Avoid steep slopes on these aspects if you see evidence of previous wind loading such as cornices, hard pillows of snow, or smooth sculpted snow surfaces. The snowpack is still thin in many places, and it will be easy to impact buried weak layers. You can find safer conditions in low elevation and wind-sheltered areas or on southerly-facing aspects.