Sangre de Cristo

The most likely place to trigger an avalanche is where strong winds have drifted new and old snow into cohesive slabs at upper elevations. Very strong, gusty winds are expected to strip windward slopes and create firm slabs and deeper drifts in cross-loaded terrain features and below ridgelines. Drifted snow may look smooth or wave-like, and feel firm and hollow. Safer travel can be found in wind-sheltered terrain.