Aspen

You can easily trigger a large avalanche where recently wind-deposited snow rests on top of fragile weak layers near the ground. Friday's expected new snow and forecast for relatively light winds may make it difficult to recognize the textures of prior drifting. Strong winds built deeper drifts last weekend, and shallow ones on Thursday. An avalanche might break one to two feet deep initially, but the real threat is that most avalanches in larger paths will gauge to near the ground, growing large. You can trigger one of these from a long distance away, even low on a slope with steep terrain above. You can find safer options on southerly-facing terrain or choose slopes less than about 30 degrees without steep terrain overhead.