Grand Mesa

You can trigger an avalanche on wind-loaded terrain features such as the lee side of a ridgeline. Most of these avalanches may be small but they can grow large enough to knock you over and maybe even bury you in a terrain trap such as a creek or a gully. Look for and avoid steep wind-loaded slopes with a smooth, rounded snow surface appearance and cornices at the top.

You might be able to trigger a much larger and more dangerous avalanche that breaks on weak snow near the ground. To reduce your chances of triggering one of these avalanches avoid shallow spots rock outcrops and tree stands on otherwise open slopes. By sticking to smooth, planar slopes that are deeper than six feet and avoiding wind-loaded terrain features you can decrease your chances of triggering an avalanche.