Aspen

The most dangerous slopes are easterly facing slopes where strong winds are drifting additional load over buried weak layers. On easterly and northerly aspects where weak layers exist, triggering an avalanche in the surface snow could initiate a deeper slide at the base of the snowpack. You could trigger an avalanche from below or a distance, so use extra caution as the snowpack adjusts to the new load. Look for and avoid rounded pillows of wind-drifted snow where you see cracking in the snow. especially on slopes with a buried weak layer.

You can find safer travel on low-angle slopes or slopes with less than eight inches of new or wind-drifted snow facing south.