Front Range

You can trigger an avalanche at upper elevations in drifted snow on slopes that face east through south to west. The most dangerous areas will have over eight inches of wind–drifted snow. If you notice cracking in drifted snow or notice recent avalanche activity on slopes similar to where you intend to travel, you should move to lower-angle wind-sheltered slopes as a safer option.

On those same slopes, you can trigger an avalanche in wet snow. As the snow surface becomes wet from above-freezing temperatures it will lose cohesion and begin to shed off steep, sunny slopes. Move to shadier slopes if you notice rollerballs or pinwheels on the snow surface or if there are small sluffs coming out of rocky areas. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to start and end your day early.

While avalanches will generally be small, be careful if you plan on traveling in complex or extreme terrain. A small avalanche can have outsized consequences if you get pushed off a cliff or into a terrain trap.