Steamboat & Flat Tops

An Avalanche Watch is in effect for the Park Range and Elkhead Mountains. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected on Wednesday as the second wave of a powerful winter storm brings another round of heavy snow and strong winds. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

On Tuesday, the storm is just beginning. The most concerning areas are slopes receiving wind-drifted snow. The strong winds will build slabs 1 to 2 feet thick, even at lower elevations normally sheltered. These newly formed slabs will stress weak layers buried 1 to 2 feet deep in the snowpack. Any avalanche that you trigger can be large enough to bury you, especially if snow piles up in a terrain trap.