Aspen

The few places where you can trigger a dangerous slab avalanche are on wind-drifted snow just below ridgelines or where you find stiff, cohesive slabs of snow in gullies or couloirs above treeline. Avoid steep slopes just below ridgelines where the snow feels firm and hollow. Once you get lower in the terrain and the snow feels soft and your feet or skis sink past your shins, it is unlikely you will be able to trigger a slab avalanche.

If you are traveling on shady slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, you could trigger a smaller but still concerning loose avalanche. These will only be dangerous on long, sustained slopes above terrain traps, such as a creek or a cliff, where even a small avalanche can take you for a dangerous ride.