Continue to approach terrain carefully at middle and upper elevations. This is where the wind has thickened slabs and weak snow is buried deep in the snowpack. Ride around pillowy, textured looking surfaces below corniced ridgelines and cross-loaded terrain features. Ride one at a time and choose slopes that are planar or concave with runouts that are free of trees or other terrain traps.

Triggering an avalanche that breaks up to 4 feet deep on buried weak layers remains a possibility. These slides have the potential to be large, dangerous, and destructive. Surface instabilities from our recent storm can prove troublesome in areas affected by the wind. Choose terrain carefully to enjoy today's nice weather. Planar or concave slopes with good runouts are always a good bet. Areas sheltered from the wind will provide a generally safer and more enjoyable experience. 

You can get into trouble with today’s fresh crop of thin slabs. These will be most dangerous where the wind has drifted them thicker and stiffer on leeward slopes. Triggering a buried layer deeper in the pack remains a concern. Minimize the potential for large dangerous slides by defaulting to lower-angled planar slopes out of the wind.

You can get into trouble with today’s fresh crop of thin slabs. These will be most dangerous where the wind has drifted them thicker and stiffer on leeward slopes. Triggering a buried layer deeper in the pack remains a concern. Minimize the potential for large dangerous slides by defaulting to lower-angled planar slopes out of the wind.

Fresh snow and gusty winds today are creating new snow avalanche hazards on steep slopes. You can trigger soft slabs that will grow wider and thicker as the day develops. Don't let this visible hazard distract you from the potential for triggering slabs that break up to four deep on weak layers buried earlier this month. Stick to lower-angled, planar slopes with clean runouts. 

You're most likely to find trouble and miss your holiday dinner on near- and above-treeline slopes that face northwest through northeast to southeast. In this terrain, you can trigger slabs that break 2-4 feet deep on weak, old snow. You can also trigger freshly formed slabs of drifted snow near summits and exposed ridges. Avoiding steep slopes is the most straightforward way of keeping safe. Stick to slopes less than 35 degrees and pick lines that avoid likely trigger points. 

You're most likely to find trouble and miss your holiday dinner on near- and above-treeline slopes that face northwest through northeast to southeast. In this terrain, you can trigger slabs that break 2-4 feet deep on weak, old snow. You can also trigger freshly formed slabs of drifted snow near summits and exposed ridges. Avoiding steep slopes is the most straightforward way of keeping safe. Stick to slopes less than 35 degrees and pick lines that avoid likely trigger points. 

Today, the slopes where you can get into trouble are near and above treeline where recent winds have drifted new snow into dense slabs. On steep slopes at these elevations, you can trigger avalanches that break one to two feet deep where the recent snow meets the old surface or on deeper weak layers. On slopes receiving direct sun, loose avalanches are a hazard if they catch you from above or push you into a terrain trap.

Storm slabs thickened and stiffened by the wind near and above treeline are your primary hazard today. Track how well the new snow is bonding to the underlying rain crust. Triggered avalanches could step down to weak layers buried 18 inches deep causing a much larger slide. Use caution on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees as you gain elevation. The most dangerous slopes are near and above treeline where recent winds have drifted new snow.

Avalanches failing on weak layers buried over 2 feet deep are the primary concern today. Be conservative and steer away from slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Use caution on the terrain that connects to start zones as you gain elevation. Limit your overhead exposure to large avalanche paths. The most dangerous slopes are near and above treeline where recent winds have drifted new snow.

A special avalanche bulletin has been issued for the region today. Complex and dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Overnight rain and warm temperatures have weakened the snowpack. Snowfall and wind today may create easily-triggered new slabs. Natural and triggered avalanches may entrain wet snow and run long distances, making them more dangerous. Use caution and conservative decision-making to avoid avalanche start zones and runouts. 

The avalanche hazard remains elevated as another warm, wet, and windy storm enters the area this morning. Heavy snowfall and rain falling on snow may trigger slabs 1 to 3 feet deep. These slabs will be thicker and more dangerous downwind of terrain features. Avalanches may step down to buried weak layers resulting in much larger slides. Natural and triggered avalanches yesterday confirm our dangerous conditions. The avalanche danger may rise to HIGH overnight into tomorrow as the storm intensifies. 

The avalanche hazard remains elevated as another warm, wet, and windy storm enters the area this morning. Heavy snowfall and rain falling on snow may trigger slabs 1 to 3 feet deep. These slabs will be thicker and more dangerous downwind of terrain features. Avalanches may step down to buried weak layers resulting in much larger slides. Natural and triggered avalanches yesterday confirm our dangerous conditions. The avalanche danger may rise to HIGH overnight into tomorrow as the storm intensifies. 

Dangerous avalanche conditions are developing with steady wind, snow, and rain. Thickening slabs may fail naturally or from a human trigger, with debris large enough to bury you. Recently-triggered avalanches should be a wake-up call to enjoy the new snow on low-angled slopes not connected to avalanche terrain. Slides on buried weak layers and crusts may result in surprisingly large avalanches. Give your friends and loved ones the gift of your safe return home.