Steamboat & Flat Tops

Recent snow has drifted over buried weak layers. You can trigger an avalanche where you find this setup and if you do it could step down into deeper layers buried about two feet deep creating a much larger avalanche. The most dangerous slopes face easterly and are under ridgetops, in gullies, and on steep rollovers. You can trigger an avalanche from below and a distance; multiple people could ride a slope before an avalanche breaks. Slides may break into lower-angle terrain where you find very firm snow over a weak layer. You can find safer travel in areas sheltered from the wind without firm surfaces. You may not see cracking or hear collapsing before a slide breaks, but if you do find these signs, stick to low-angled slopes.

On February 9th a fatal avalanche accident was reported north of the Colorado border near Battle Pass, WY. Though this area is not in the CAIC forecast region, many backcountry users in that area visit our website for nearby information since there is an information exchange but no daily forecasting for that part of Wyoming. A very brief report can be found here and will be updated as new information comes in. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all of those involved.