Steamboat & Flat Tops

Avalanches are possible in the mountains of Colorado whenever you find snow on a steep slope. Consider the consequences of being caught in an avalanche before crossing any steep, snow-covered slopes, even in the spring and summer.

Start and end your day early to avoid wet snow avalanches. Steer clear of steep, rocky snow-covered terrain, especially if the snowpack does not freeze the night before. You can check current weather conditions, including overnight temperatures, on the CAIC Weather Station page.

Wet avalanches are more likely when the surface snow is wet and slushy. These conditions are common after about 10:00 AM this time of year, but you should pay more attention to the snow surface than the time of day. If you find more than a few inches of wet, gloppy snow at the surface, sink past your boot tops into wet unconsolidated snow, feel the surface crusts collapse, or see avalanches running from steep rocky terrain, it's time to find a cooler, more supportable snowpack or call it a day. Most avalanches are relatively small this time of year, but small avalanches can entrain enough wet snow to knock you down and send you for a dangerous ride. 

Avoid travel under sagging and overhanging cornices and stay well back from the edge if you are traveling along ridgelines. 

Learn more about spring and summer avalanche safety here.