Avalanche forecast

Vail & Summit County

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

  • Persistent Slabs

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

Avalanche Summary

If you do not find a supportable melt-freeze crust to travel on early Friday morning, you'll need to consider changing your plans and avoiding steep slopes. Warm overnight temperatures, especially at lower and middle elevations on Thursday night, will increase the threat of wet avalanches going into Friday. Some slopes may not see a refreeze of the snow surface. To reduce your risk of wet avalanches, start and end your day early.

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 is getting wet for the first time. Smaller avalanches and cornice falls onto slopes can trigger avalanches that break on deeper layers.

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