Gunnison

You can trigger an avalanche on most slopes where you find over a foot and a half of new snow. The most dangerous slopes will be where wind drifted additional snow onto the leeward side of a ridgeline, generally facing easterly directions. If you choose to travel in steep terrain on slopes with over about 18 inches of new snow avoid slopes with terrain traps such as a cliff, dense trees, or a creek below you.

You might be able to trigger a much larger, deadly avalanche on deeply buried weak layers. To reduce your chances of triggering one of these avalanches avoid shallow, rocky slopes at high elevations, slopes that previously slid earlier this winter, and wind-scoured slopes where the snowpack is thinner.