Front Range

You can trigger an avalanche where recently fallen snow drifted into slabs over buried weak layers, especially at upper elevations. The most dangerous slopes are northerly and easterly facing below ridgelines, steep rollovers, and in gully features. Large cornices at ridgetop or a wave-like appearance on the snow surface are signs that a slope holds drifted snow. In areas sheltered from the wind, avalanches may be smaller, but still dangerous. You could trigger an avalanche that breaks on weak layers near the ground where you find more than about 12 inches of recent snow. You can find safer travel on slopes less than about 30 degrees.