Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
You can trigger an avalanche large enough to bury you where thick slabs of snow rest on top of weak layers near the ground. Northerly and easterly-facing slopes are the most dangerous, especially where the wind drifted additional snow onto them at upper elevations. You can trigger avalanches from a distance or the bottom of a slope. Give suspect slopes a wide berth and maintain extra space between your route and potential avalanche runout zones. Shooting cracks and collapsing are signs of instability, but they may not be present before you trigger an avalanche. Look for safer riding on slopes that are less than 30 degrees without steep slopes above.