Vail & Summit County

New snow and wind drifting make triggering a deadly avalanche that steps down to the ground easier. The most dangerous slopes are those where the wind has drifted fresh slabs of snow on north through east to southeast aspects. Bulbous pillows of snow that crack or collapse indicate that you have found surface instability, but it is unlikely you will get a warning before you trigger an avalanche on buried weak layers. In these areas, an avalanche you trigger in the storm snow may step down to the ground. Shallow areas of the snowpack around exposed rocks and trees are the most likely areas of the slope where you could trigger a large avalanche. Don’t assume other tracks indicates stability, as observers have reported multiple people riding slopes before triggering a slide. You can find safer riding by avoiding wind-loaded aspects. On aspects with a buried weak layer slopes less than about 30 degrees with no overhead hazard offer safer riding.