Southern San Juan

A fatal avalanche near Ophir late on Monday tragically illustrates the kind of large, dangerous avalanche you can trigger on slopes steeper than around 35 degrees. You are more likely to trigger a wide-breaking avalanche trigger, and/or trigger one from below in areas with less than about 4 feet of snow on the ground.

You can find these suspect areas below cliffs, around rock outcroppings, and near ridgelines. We are receiving fewer reports of cracking and collapsing, and recent avalanches. Don't let the lack of obvious signs of instability lull you into a false sense of security.