Slushy snow and cracking cornices

We tested out an alpine slope, and felt the snow collapse under our feet while skinning. We turned around without going far, and the snow started forming pinwheels and roller balls as we carefully skied down.

We heard two natural avalanches on the ridge behind us. One started with a loud crack (like a gun shot) and then we heard the snow start moving. Didn’t see them. We also saw a third avalanche of a far alpine ridge, but not sure how old it was.