Vail & Summit County

Slopes with recently drifted snow are the most hazardous. Trigging an avalanche in rounded pillows of firm snow at the surface could penetrate deeper weak layers. You are most likely to trigger a deeper slide on steep, rocky slopes connected to drifted snow. Multiple people could ride a slope before a slide is triggered. You can find safer riding on slopes protected from the wind and lower-angled slopes.

Sunny skies and above-freezing temperatures tomorrow will likely cause the snow to become wet and sluff off steep, sunny slopes. These avalanches could gouge deeper into the snowpack and grow larger as they run. If you sink up to your ankles in wet, gloppy surface snow or see rollerballs, you should steer clear of steep slopes.