Front Range

Avoid rounded pillows of snow where strong winds have created firm slabs. You will most likely trigger an avalanche in these drifts that may crack under your weight. You will find this drifting in gullies, below ridgelines, and along drastic vegetation and slope angle changes. The avalanche you trigger on the surface could step down into deeper, weaker layers. You can reduce your chances of triggering deeper avalanches by traveling on slopes with a consistently deep snowpack without shallow rocky areas. You can find safer travel on lower-elevation slopes sheltered from the wind.