Steamboat & Flat Tops

There are two layers where you can trigger an avalanche. One is buried about a foot below the surface. The other is more dangerous and buried closer to 3 feet deep near the ground. Drifted slopes with firm, rounded pillows are the most dangerous. You might see cracking in the snow warning you of a surface slab, but you won't see any warning signs before you trigger a larger slide. Slides closer to the surface will be smaller, but any slide can easily step down to deeper layers. You're most likely to trigger a deeper avalanche from weaker areas of a slope. Like along the edges and from shallow spots near trees and rocks. Multiple people could ride a slope before you trigger a deeper slide. Look safer riding on slopes without a slab in sheltered areas and below the treeline.