Vail & Summit County

You can trigger an avalanche where new snow drifts into slabs at upper elevations. Areas that get 6 inches of snow or more will be the most dangerous. Light winds in the morning will begin to drift snow efficiently as the day progresses. Avalanches can step down into older, denser drifts and grow larger. Some could break in weak snow near the ground. Cracking in the new snow is a sign you could trigger a slide. However, you might not see any warning signs before you trigger a deeper avalanche. Multiple people can ride a slope before triggering a slide.

Avoid lens-shaped pillows of snow where you see them on steep slopes directly below ridges and in gullies. Especially slopes with variable snow cover and exposed obstacles that can act as trigger points for deeper avalanches. Look for safer riding on slopes less than about 30 degrees and in the trees sheltered from the wind.

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