Avalanche forecast

Gunnison

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human triggered sluffs, or loose snow avalanches remain the primary avalanche problem. On steep northerly facing slopes that are protected from the wind, you can easily trigger this small avalanche problem. In wind-affected terrain, thin wind slabs remain isolated in their distribution. The terrain is the magnifier of these small avalanche problems. If you are riding big or high-consequence terrain, then even these small avalanches could gain volume or push you off a cliff or into a tree. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

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

    Dry loose avalanches (sluffs) are a concern in wind-sheltered terrain on the north half of the compass.   Where the snow surface is weak and cohesionless, you can easily trigger sluffs that entrain the top 6" to 10" of loose snow on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Ski cuts, moving across the fall-line while descending, or choosing lower-angled slopes are effective techniques to manage this problem. These point-release avalanches will accumulate more mass in long-running, steep terrain. Use caution above gullies where an avalanche can pile more deeply and above trees and cliffs where the consequences of getting caught in a small sluff will be magnified. 

    A great example of sluff management in terrain where a loose dry avalanche could be more problematic because it gets funneled down a gulley.  

Avalanche Discussion

The growth of the snowpack has flatlined since the start of 2022. This long dry period has led to the development of our weak snow surfaces and the loose snow avalanche problem. Zach's video highlights this avalanche problem and some ways to manage it. The only real changes in the last week have been the periods of increased winds. With each wind event, we see more areas of wind-affected snow and fewer areas still holding a soft snow surface capable of producing loose snow avalanches. The near treeline elevation band has seen a few observations pointing at sluffs becoming more isolated as wind-affected snow becomes more widespread. In those same areas, observations have trickled in, as observers occasionally find thin wind slabs having formed over those previously weak snow surfaces. 

Even without fresh snow, there are still some good riding conditions that can be found out there. The small avalanche problems and nice weather are continuing to offer a great time to be out exploring the mountains. Consider if the terrain you are traveling in could magnify a small avalanche. If you are in higher consequence terrain, then you will need to evaluate the snow carefully and take the time to discuss a thorough plan to manage the conditions in that terrain. 

Regions covered