Vail & Summit County

Avoid steep recently wind-loaded slopes directly below ridgetop, and you can avoid most avalanches. These more dangerous slopes face east, southeast, or south. Look for and avoid hard drifts of snow where your skis, board, or sled don't sink more than a few inches into the snow. Supportable snow on steep slopes means you found a slab, and if you're on one of the aspects mentioned above, there are likely weak, collapsible layers below this slab.