Grand Mesa

You can trigger an avalanche on wind-loaded terrain features such as the lee side of a ridgeline. Avalanches may be small but they can be dangerous if you get knocked over and dragged into a terrain trap such as a creek or a gully. Identify and avoid steep wind-loaded slopes with a smooth, rounded snow surface appearance and give cornices a wide berth.

You might be able to trigger a much larger and more dangerous avalanche that breaks on weak snow near the ground. By sticking to smooth, planar slopes that are deeper than six feet and avoiding wind-loaded terrain features you can decrease your chances of triggering an avalanche.