Aspen

Heavy snow and strong winds created dangerous avalanche conditions over the weekend. The most dangerous slopes are northerly and easterly-facing where thick slabs rest over old, weak snow near the ground, especially at upper elevations. Although these are the most dangerous areas, use cautious route-finding anywhere there is a foot of recent snow resting on older snow and not on bare ground. You can trigger avalanches from the bottom of a slope or from a distance. Shooting cracks and audible collapses are indications of dangerous snow conditions. Make conservative decisions if you travel in avalanche terrain on Wednesday; look for slopes less than about 30 degrees without steep slopes above for safer travel.