Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Avalanche forecast
View on mapVail & Summit County
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Avalanche danger
Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.
Avalanche problems
Avalanche Summary
Easterly-facing, wind-drifted slopes near ridgetop are the most dangerous slopes. This is where you can trigger a large avalanche in drifted snow. Shooting cracks are a sure sign of unstable snow. Avoid steep slopes where the snow feels more cohesive and harder than areas sheltered from the wind.
On Saturday, we received the first report of a large avalanche breaking near the ground in weeks. This was in the northern Gore Range on a northeast-facing near treeline slope. Nobody was caught or injured but this shows that, although unlikely, you can still trigger deeper and more dangerous avalanches. The only way to completely avoid these avalanches is to avoid steep slopes with weak layers near the ground.