Aspen

A recent avalanche incident in the Gore Range highlights the kind of avalanche you can trigger this weekend. The most dangerous slopes face west through north to southeast near and above treeline. If you choose to travel through avalanche terrain on these aspects of concern you can reduce your chances of being injured or killed in an avalanche by avoiding uneven, rocky slopes, exposing one person at a time, and choosing slopes with no terrain traps such as cliffs or dense trees below you. Safer travel options exist by sticking to sunny slopes with a supportable crust near the snow surface. If you are uncertain about the slope and want simpler, safer options you can always stick to slopes less than about 30 degrees steep without similarly steep slopes above you.