Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger large, dangerous avalanches that break on weak layers near the ground. Avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes that sit directly below the ridgetop. Also, be careful in steep gullies and other terrain traps where a small avalanche can pile up snow deeply. Shooting cracks and sounds of collapsing are obvious signs that you can trigger an avalanche. These signs may not always be present, so don't mistake a quiet snowpack for a safe one.