Vail & Summit County

The most dangerous slopes face north through east to southeast at upper elevations in the Gore Range. Strong winds will drift new snow into a stiff, cohesive slab resting on a buried weak layer around one to four feet deep. Even a small avalanche within the recent snow could create enough mass to step down into one of these buried weak layers. Creating a much wider and far-running avalanche than anticipated. Stick to slopes less than about 30 degrees for safer travel options.

A pair of recent accidents highlight the consequence of triggering a deep avalanche. On Friday, three backcountry skiers triggered and were caught in a large avalanche near Marble on an easterly-facing slope. Sadly one died. You can read the preliminary report here. Sunday afternoon, another skier died in an accident in Maroon Bowl, on a northerly-facing slope near Aspen Highlands. You can read this preliminary report here.