Northern San Juan

You can trigger an avalanche where last week's snow settled into a cohesive slab above older, weaker snow. The most dangerous slopes are northerly and easterly-facing slopes near and above treeline. You may not see obvious signs of instability, like cracking or collapsing, but don't let a lack of these unstable signs trick you into thinking a slope is safe. If you choose to travel in steeper terrain, pick smooth, planar slopes and avoid common trigger points like convex rollovers or shallow spots near rocky outcrops.

You can find safer riding options on lower elevation southerly slopes, and slopes less than about 35 degrees in steepness.