Steamboat & Flat Tops

You can trigger a dangerous avalanche that breaks into weak layers buried two to four feet deep, producing large and deadly avalanches on most slopes. The most dangerous slopes face an easterly direction where strong winds drift snow below ridgelines. If you trigger an avalanche on these slopes, they could break wider and further than anticipated. Do not let your guard down on other slopes, though. Look for and avoid steep slopes if you see smooth, lens-shaped pillows of snow, feel hollow snow underneath you, or see cracking and collapsing. Stick to slopes less than about 30 degrees for safer travel options that are not connected to larger, steep slopes above.