Vail & Summit County

A skier-triggered avalanche on Thursday, along with continued reports of large rumbling collapses, shooting cracks, and worrisome snowpack tests, all indicate a dangerous snowpack at upper elevations.

The most dangerous slopes are steep, wind-drifted slopes below ridges and cliff bands facing northeast through east to south. You can trigger slides from below or from a distance. With a generally weak snowpack, any avalanche you trigger could gouge down to the ground. You can find safer travel on lower-angle slopes or those sheltered from the wind at lower elevations.

Be careful on very steep slopes below treeline, where you may find deep, unconsolidated snow above terrain traps.