Steamboat & Flat Tops

Be careful in areas with more than about eight inches of new or wind-drifted snow. You are most likely to find this at higher elevations and close to ridgelines. Easterly winds will drift snow into unusual places. Where you find rounded pillows of snow, you could trigger an avalanche in the storm snow. Steep, shallow slopes with many trigger points are areas where you could trigger a deeper slide. Sticking to smooth planar slopes with a consistently deep snowpack will reduce your chances of triggering a deep slide. Lower-angle slopes and those sheltered from the wind offer safer travel.