Front Range

You can trigger an avalanche where the wind has drifted new snow into cohesive slabs. The new snow is resting on top of slick crusts that formed during the very warm weather earlier in the week. The most dangerous slopes face north, to east, through south at upper elevations where you find more than about ten inches of snow. Watch for signs of wind drifting on steep slopes below ridgelines, on steep rollovers, and on the sides of gullies. Shooting cracks in the new snow are a sign to move to lower-angle, wind-sheltered terrain.