Avalanche forecast

Vail & Summit County

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

Avalanche Summary

Warm overnight temperatures on Wednesday night will increase the threat of wet avalanches going into Thursday. Lower elevations may not see a refreeze of the snow surface. To reduce your risk of avalanches, start your day early and end early, and consider a drastic change of plans, avoiding steep slopes, if you do not find a supportable melt-freeze crust to travel on early in the morning.

Once the snow gets wet, head to slopes with cooler snow or return to the trailhead. When the surface crust melts, most southerly slopes will be dangerous. East-facing near treeline slopes are particularly dangerous. This is where colder snow will get wet for the first time. Smaller avalanches and cornice fall onto slopes can trigger avalanches that break on deeper layers.

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