Northern San Juan

The snowpack is slowly strengthening with warmer spring temperatures, but you can still trigger a dangerous avalanche on slopes where you are able to impact weak layers buried about two to four feet below the surface. The most dangerous slopes face west through north to east, especially near and above-treeline slopes where wind-drifted snow forms a thicker, more cohesive layer near the surface. Look for and avoid slopes with cornices above them, or with signs of wind-drifting such as smooth lens-shaped pillows or stiff, sculpted snow surfaces. Keep away from on-slope features such as convex roll overs, wind-blown or rocky areas where you can more easily impact weak layers and trigger a slide. Below-treeline southerly terrain and slopes less than about thirty degrees offer safer options. 

A pair of recent accidents highlight the consequence of triggering a large avalanche. On Friday, three backcountry skiers triggered and were caught in a large avalanche near Marble. Sadly one died. You can read the preliminary report here. Search and rescue operations remain underway for another accident Sunday afternoon in Maroon Bowl, near Aspen Highlands.