Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger large avalanches within the new snow. Strong westerly winds will load north through east to southeast-facing slopes creating the most dangerous slopes. Use caution around ridgetops where you find smooth lens-shaped pillows of snow or see fresh cornices forming. You may see signs of unstable snow, like cracking or collapsing within the new snow. Be cautious below treeline, where you find eight inches or more of snow, as avalanches may knock you off your feet. While less likely if you find a shallower portion of the snowpack around, like protruding rocks or convex rollovers, you may impact a deeper weak layer near the ground, which could trigger an unsurvivable avalanche. Carefully choose terrain as you recreate in the mountains by avoiding travel on or underneath slopes greater than 30 degrees.