Front Range

You can trigger an avalanche if you find a wet snow surface on a steep slope. These avalanches can start small, grow in size, and knock you off your feet. Pay attention to the consequences of getting carried over rocks or through trees. If you start to punch through to the top of your boots in wet snow, move to low-angled slopes without steep slopes above, seek out shaded or high-elevation slopes, or simply call it a day.

You could also trigger an avalanche that breaks one to three feet deep in recently drifted snow at upper elevations. Several people could ride a slope before it slides. Avalanches can propagate widely and become dangerous. Slopes less than about 30 degrees offer safer travel options.