Northern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche where you find wind-drifted snow forming a slab over weak layers on steep slopes that face the north half of the compass. Higher elevation slopes facing north, northeast, and east are the most dangerous. You could trigger a small avalanche in newly drifted snow, but the bigger concern is triggering a slide on deeper buried weak layers. Lower-angle, wind-sheltered slopes will provide safer riding options.

Blue skies and warm temperatures increase the chances of small wet snow avalanches on sunny slopes. Loose wet avalanches often release below rocks or cliffs and gain mass as they move downhill. Avoid steep, sunny, snow-covered slopes during the heat of the day.