Vail & Summit County

You can trigger a slide in recently drifted snow. A cohesive slab is resting on weak snow about a foot below the surface. A more deadly concern is if slides step down 2 or 3 feet to weak snow closer to the ground. Steep rocky areas connected to drifted slopes are where you are most likely to trigger a larger avalanche. You might see cracking in the snow warning you of a surface slab, but you won't see any warning signs before you trigger a larger slide. Multiple people could travel on a slope before you find a weaker area and trigger a deadly avalanche. Small slides near the surface can trigger larger avalanches. You can find safer travel on lower-angled slopes and those sheltered from the wind.