Vail & Summit County

You can trigger an avalanche on west through east to south-facing slopes at all elevations, but it is more likely at upper elevations. Most avalanches will break in the upper snowpack and remain smaller in size. A small slide in the upper snowpack can trigger a larger, more dangerous avalanche. Although it is less likely, you might trigger a larger avalanche that breaks near the ground from a shallower area of a slope. Look for homogenous slopes with over five feet of snow that are devoid of trigger points to reduce your chances of triggering a larger avalanche. Avoid steep wind-loaded slopes as a safer travel option.