Front Range

You can trigger an avalanche where winds have drifted snow into firm slabs. Look for and avoid rounded pillows of hollow-feeling snow. Observers predominately reported avalanches on slopes that face east in the alpine. Below ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies are the places you will find this problem. You are unlikely to see warning signs before you trigger an avalanche. The avalanche you trigger will break on weak snow and may be more significant than the terrain feature you are on.

On steep, shady slopes close to 40 degrees that face north, if you find bottomless facets, you could trigger a loose avalanche that may gain mass. These are most likely on slopes that have previously avalanched.

You can find safer riding on slopes sheltered from the wind with soft snow at the surface and on lower-angled slopes.