Front Range

You can trigger a slide in recently drifted snow. A cohesive slab rests on weak snow 1 to 2 feet below the surface. A less likely but more deadly concern is if slides break deeper in weak snow closer to the ground. Steep rocky areas connected to drifted slopes are where you are most likely to trigger a larger avalanche. Or on slopes that already avalanched this winter. You might see cracking in the snow warning you of a surface slab, but you won't see any warning signs before you trigger a larger slide. Multiple people could travel on a slope before you find a weaker area and trigger a deadly avalanche. Small slides near the surface can trigger larger avalanches. You can find safer travel on lower-angled slopes and those sheltered from the wind.