Steamboat & Flat Tops

Steep slopes, where you find rounded drifts of firm snow, are the slopes where you can trigger an avalanche. Northerly slopes where firm snow rests on old, weak snow are the most dangerous. Gullies and areas close to ridgelines are the places where you are most likely to find this setup. Be warned, these slopes may be the most tempting terrain to ride with the most consistent coverage. Take note of recent avalanche activity and other signs of instability, including cracking and collapsing, as indicators of slopes you want to avoid. You can find safer travel on slopes sheltered from the wind and southerly slopes that did not have snow prior to the recent storm.