Vail & Summit County

Watch for drifted areas with more than about 8 inches of new snow. Conditions could change while you're in the field. Slopes that were safe in the morning may be drifted in the late afternoon. Look for and avoid lens-shaped drifts of snow below ridges and inside gullies. Cracking in the new snow is a sign to avoid drifted slopes greater than about 35 degrees. You are most likely to find drifted snow on north through east to southeast-facing slopes at upper elevations.

Look for sheltered slopes where the new snow lacks cohesion as a safer option.