The transition to fall has certainly occurred with more consistent wet weather and the appearance of snow in the mountains. Fall is a great time to brush up on your avalanche knowledge and skills. See the education page for a list or the events calendar for a calendar of classes this fall and winter. Hope you enjoy the new website and format. Check here for a description of how to read the new advisory format.

The transition to winter has certainly occurred with chilly temperatures and the appearance of snow in the mountains. Now is a great time to brush up on your avalanche knowledge and skills. See the education page for a list or the events calendar for a calendar of classes this fall and winter. Hope you enjoy the new website and format. Check here for a description of how to read the new advisory format.

A bit of new snow and wind with more snow on the way tonight through Tuesday night. This new snow will bury the weak snow that formed during the cold snap last week creating unstable conditions. Don't let early season powder fever ruin the whole season. Pay attention to obvious clues such as recent avalanche activity, cracking, and collapsing. 

A bit of new snow and wind with more snow on the way tonight through Tuesday night. This new snow will bury the weak snow that formed during the cold snap last week creating unstable conditions. Don't let early season powder fever ruin the whole season. Pay attention to obvious clues such as recent avalanche activity, cracking, and collapsing. 

Recent and wind deposited snow on top of weak (faceted) snow near the ground has created a poor snow structure. Allow this weak, shallow snowpack time to adjust to the new load. Be conservative in terrain selection, poke around in the snow, and don't let early season powder fever ruin the whole season.

Dangerous snowpack conditions exist. 7-12 inches of new snow with strong winds deposited onto a weak snowpack in a very short period of time has likely created unstable conditions.  If you choose to ride or ski today, then avoid steep slopes and pay close attention to the terrain around you. Be conservative in your decision making and terrain selection.

Dangerous snowpack conditions exist. 7-12 inches of new snow with strong winds deposited onto a weak snowpack in a very short period of time has likely created unstable conditions.  If you choose to ride or ski today, then avoid steep slopes and pay close attention to the terrain around you. Be conservative in your decision making and terrain selection.

Weak snow (facets) at the ground and wind slabs atop a crust near the surface continue to create unstable conditions. Conservative decision making and terrain selection are important with a weak and shallow early season snowpack. We will begin issuing regular advisories Saturday, Dec. 6.

The snowpack still consists of weak snow (facets) near the ground in most locations as well as weak snow (facets) above the Thanksgiving crust. Both of these layers pose a problem and should be treated with caution. Avoid areas of steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where you are more likely to affect the deeper layer as well as wind loaded slopes. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully. We will begin issuing regular advisories Saturday, Dec. 6.

The snowpack still consists of weak snow (facets) near the ground in most locations as well as weak snow (facets) above the Thanksgiving crust. Both of these layers pose a problem and should be treated with caution. Avoid areas of steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where you are more likely to affect the deeper layer as well as wind loaded slopes. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully. We will begin issuing regular advisories Saturday, Dec. 6.

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Substantial new snow and rising temperatures over the past 24 hours will cause the avalanche hazard to rise through today. New storm slabs as well as wind slabs will be problems today. The snowpack still consists of weak snow (facets) near the ground in most locations as well as weak snow (facets) above the Thanksgiving crust.  Cautious routefinding and conservative decision making are essential. We will begin issuing regular advisories tomorrow, Dec. 6.

Storm snow from Thursday and Friday was very reactive yesterday and the snowpack still needs time to adjust to this new load. Storm slab avalanches are likely above 5000 feet, with the possibility of avalanches breaking in deeper layers. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

The recent storm snow and wind formed wind slabs at upper elevations. Wind slab avalanches are likely above 6000 feet, with the possibility of avalanches breaking in deeper layers. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

Wind transported snow at high elevations formed fresh wind slabs for today. The avalanche hazard is rated considerable on wind loaded slopes above 6000 feet. The potential also remains to trigger a deeper persistent slab avalanche in weak snow (facets) near the ground as well as weak snow adjacent to the Thanksgiving crust. Avoid wind loaded slopes in the high elevations and continue to choose terrain conservatively.