Vail & Summit County

You can trigger a small avalanche where you find drifted snow on steep slopes. Some slides could break into weak snow near the ground. These will mostly be on north to east through south-facing slopes at upper elevations. Look for and avoid steep, drifted slopes, especially just below ridges. Shooting cracks in drifted snow are a clear sign of instability. Stick to slopes less than about 35 degrees or slopes sheltered from the wind if you observe unstable snow.

You should expect a rapid increase in avalanche danger as a potent winter storm brings heavy snow beginning on Monday night.