Northern San Juan

You can trigger a large and dangerous avalanche at all elevations if you find a shallow spot and affect a buried weak layer. Common trigger points include rock outcroppings, steep rollovers, below ridges, and cliff bands. Avalanches on previously drifted slopes could step down to deeper weak layers. Use caution on steeper slopes where the snow surface transitions from soft to stiff or in places with a rounded or wave-like appearance.

You can find safer riding options on low-angled, wind-sheltered slopes without steep overhead hazards. Most recent human-triggered avalanche activity has been near treeline on slopes around 40 degrees in steepness.