Southern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche where drifted snow forms cohesive slabs on steep slopes. The most dangerous slopes are where drifted snow stacks above shallow, buried weak layers. On these slopes, avalanches may break deeper and wider. Cracking, collapsing, and avalanches on similar slopes indicate instability and should highlight slopes you want to avoid.

You can find safer travel on slopes less than around 35 degrees and areas protected from the wind.