Bollettino valanghe

Northwest Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

Overnight temperatures remain warm, providing a poor refreeze.  Once thin surface crusts break down, human-triggered wet avalanches will threaten backcountry travelers on steep slopes.  Wet avalanches create dangerous and powerful debris flows, and some could break widely as slabs.  Move off steep terrain once the surface crusts melt and you encounter wet, mushy snow. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1.5–3

    Recent wet slab avalanche activity has most often been triggered by smaller wet loose avalanches releasing higher up on the slope. These avalanches can also be human-triggered. The heavy weight of the wet snow will make skiing out of one of these cement mixers nearly impossible.  The most active terrain this week has been where previously dry snowpacks are currently or recently transitioning to wet conditions (E to NE and W to NW aspects), especially near and above treeline and on steeper, rockier slopes that amplify melt. Most southerly-facing slopes have already made this transition, while high, north-facing terrain has remained mostly dry. Wet avalanches are less likely early in the day while the snow surface remains frozen and meltwater production is limited. The hazard increases as the snowpack warms, crusts thaw, and/or free water moves deeper into the snowpack.

    This wet slab avalanche ran midday on Tuesday near Ruby Peak.  It broke several feet deep, starting on a northeast aspect and propagating into an east aspect. (3/24/2026)

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Wet loose avalanches are the most concerning where you sink deeply into wet snow. In these areas, a small point-release avalanche can entrain the entire snowpack, becoming powerful and large. In some cases, small wet loose avalanches also trigger bigger wet slab avalanches as they run downslope. Reduce your exposure to this avalanche problem by traveling early in steep terrain before surface crusts thaw or moving to lower slope angles.   

    Full-depth wet loose avalanches were easy to trigger on Thursday.  Similar conditions may develop today. (3/26/2026) 

Avalanche Discussion

A temperature inversion overnight may trick you into thinking the mountains received a solid refreeze.  Expect surface crusts to be thicker near the valley bottom and thinner at higher elevations.  Most mountain locations dropped into the mid-30s, which will create a thin, superficial freeze on many slopes.  You can find lower risk conditions while surface crusts remain frozen and supportive to skis or board, but once those crusts break down, human-triggered avalanches become problematic.  These two videos from earlier in the week highlight the conditions you could encounter once conditions warm during the day (Elk Creek, Ruby Peak).  For an overview of this week's wet avalanche cycle, check out the Weekly Summary.

As the abnormally warm weather drags on into the second week, natural avalanche activity slowly declines.  Scroll down these visual aids to the Avalanches Over Time chart to see the downtrend in natural activity.  This decline is due in part to slightly cooler temperatures.  Even though fewer natural avalanches are expected, human-triggered avalanches could become likely on some steep slopes once surface crusts thaw.

Riding conditions have been quite poor over the past two weeks.  You won't find amazing conditions by riding dangerously wet slopes, likely a challenging and awkward descent.  If you do head out, start early and finish early.  Conditions are not expected to change much over the weekend, but relief is in sight.  Cooler temperatures and snow may return to the region next workweek.  

Events: Join us and Matchstick Productions at Josés Elevation Hotel deck at the base area this Saturday 1-6 p.m. for the MSP March Meltdown. There will be live music from the Shakedown Family Band and Crested Butte's own Mountain Jam, drink specials and a raffle with proceeds to benefit the Crested Butte Avalanche Center

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