Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can still trigger a large, deadly avalanche that breaks deeply into the snowpack. Beware of thin areas on the slope, like the margins of a slope and near exposed rocks and bushes. These are the most likely places you’ll trigger a larger more deadly avalanche.

You can also easily trigger small avalanches near the surface where the storm snow accumulated on steep slopes. Look for and avoid bulbous, textured pillows of snow on steep slopes. Especially on easterly-facing slopes just below ridgelines and in gully features. If you notice shooting cracks in the new snow, move to lower-angle slopes.

Reduce your chances of triggering any avalanche by sticking to slopes less than about 30 degrees without steep slopes above you.