Vail & Summit County

You are likely to trigger an avalanche on steep slopes where you find more than about 8 inches of new or wind-drifted snow. Avoid rounded pillows of firm snow. You will likely find these drifts below ridgelines and along cross-loaded gully walls. Firm snow cracking beneath you is a good sign to head to lower angled slopes or those with softer snow sheltered from the wind.

Steep, shady, shallow slopes are the unlikely places you could trigger a deeper slide.