Vail & Summit County

You can trigger an avalanche 2 to 3 feet deep on buried weak layers. The distribution of this weak layer is variable depending on wind and sun. Careful assessment and choice of slopes are important; you can not just rely on seeing cracking or collapsing as your sole decision-making tool. You could trigger one of these slides from a thinner area on the slopes, like around rocks, convex rollovers, or vegetation. Multiple people could ride a slope before an avalanche releases.  Seek slopes less than 30 degrees without steep slopes above you for safer riding options.