Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger a large and deadly avalanche on steep slopes where recent storm snow drifted into continuous and cohesive slabs. You can trigger slides on many slopes, but upper-elevation easterly-facing slopes are the most dangerous. Avalanches breaking below the storm snow will be large enough to bury and kill you. Look for and avoid steep drifted slopes below ridges, in gullies, or behind convex rollovers. Make conservative terrain choices and avoid traveling on or below slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.

Additional snow Thursday into Friday means you can trigger small slides near the surface. If you see cracks in front of you in the snow or hear audible collapses, avoid steep slopes. Remember, small slides near the surface can easily trigger larger, more deadly avalanches.