Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 2–3
You can trigger a small avalanche in the new snow but the more concerning danger is triggering a much larger avalanche on buried weak layers deeper in the snowpack. You can trigger one of these very large, valley-crushing avalanches from below a slope or from a long distance away so be aware of slopes above you and other people nearby. If you trigger a small avalanche in the new snow it could step down to the buried weak layers growing into and unsurvivable avalanche. The best way to reduce your chances of triggering one of these avalanches is to avoid traveling on steep slopes facing west through north to east that are capable of producing an avalanche large enough to bury you. Safer travel options can be found on southerly slopes at lower elevations with less than about a foot of new snow on them.