Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger avalanches in the wet surface snow, and some avalanches will run naturally as temperatures warm. Signs of deteriorating conditions are small avalanches running from steep rocky terrain, rollerballs or pinwheels in the wet surface snow, and gloppy snow sticking to your skis, boots, crampons, or machine. Wet avalanches will be larger and harder to escape in places where you find deeper cold snow left over from the recent storms. Be especially careful when traveling in steep, consequential terrain where even a small avalanche can send you tumbling. Timing is key to avoiding this problem. Get into and out of the mountains early to avoid wet snow avalanches. Move off slopes when the surface snow starts to get wet. Avoid trip plans that force you to ascend westerly-facing slopes late in the day.