Vail & Summit County

A Special Avalanche Advisory is in effect. Recent snow and strong winds have formed thick cohesive slabs above an unusually shallow and weak snowpack. Avalanche conditions will remain dangerous through the weekend. Careful planning and conservative terrain selection is essential for safe travel in backcountry avalanche terrain.

The most dangerous slopes are where strong winds have drifted snow over weak layers. Avoid bulbous pillows of snow. In these areas, an avalanche triggered at the surface may step down to deeper weak layers. You may not see obvious signs of instability, such as cracking and collapsing, before a large avalanche triggers. You can trigger an avalanche from flat ground.

Lower-elevation slopes with softer snow and less slab will be safer, as will slopes less than about 30 degrees that are not connected to steeper terrain.