Isolated avalanche hazards linger where more than a few inches of new and drifted snow has accumulated since Saturday night. Avoid the exceptions to the generally safe conditions by avoiding pockets of drifted snow and confined terrain where sluffs of loose snow can have outsized consequences. 

A couple inches of fresh snow may be enough to form new hazards and surprise you if you've been riding consequential terrain the last few days.  Don’t let shallow sluffs or wind slabs catch you off guard near terrain traps or in extreme terrain.  

Another beautiful day to travel through the mountains and enjoy good stability.  Continue to practice sound travel habits in avalanche terrain to insure against isolated surprises.  Firm snow surfaces can pose a hazard if you slip and slide down a steep slope.  

Another beautiful day to travel through the mountains and enjoy good stability.  Continue to practice sound travel habits in avalanche terrain to insure against isolated surprises.  Firm snow surfaces can pose a hazard if you slip and slide down a steep slope.  

Enjoy mostly stable conditions today. Carry rescue gear and go with a good partner. You may find isolated sluffing or stubborn, hard wind slabs. Use safe travel techniques and keep each other in sight. Sliding on firm, crusty surfaces may be a hazard.

The snowpack is generally stable with a few exceptions. While it is unlikely for you to trigger an avalanche today, some slabs are large enough to injure or bury you. Watch for isolated wind slabs on steep slopes. Recent northeast winds have scattered these drifts erratically across exposed terrain. A large wind slab failed naturally on Tuesday. Evaluate your line carefully, especially if there are cornices looming overhead.

The snowpack is generally stable with a few exceptions. Watch for isolated, small wind slabs on steep slopes. Recent northeast winds have scattered these drifts erratically across exposed terrain. Evaluate your line carefully, especially if there are cornices looming overhead.

Enjoy mostly stable avalanche conditions today with isolated areas of concern. Recent north and east winds drifted slabs onto unusual slopes and in patterns that vary basin to basin. Look at each slope with a fresh set of eyes and steer around isolated pockets of wind drifted snow.

Warm temperatures and clear skies will cause loose wet avalanches on sun-baked slopes. If the snow becomes wet, travel quickly and one at a time through steep, sun-exposed terrain. Be wary of wind slabs in unusual locations. Choose terrain sheltered from the wind and only expose one rider at a time in the event you trigger an unexpected slab avalanche.

Warm temperatures and clear skies will cause loose wet avalanches on sun-baked slopes. If the snow becomes wet, travel quickly and one at a time through steep, sun-exposed terrain. Be wary of wind slabs in unusual locations. Choose terrain sheltered from the wind and only expose one rider at a time in the event you trigger an unexpected slab avalanche.

Two main clues to today's avalanche hazards: soft snow that's getting wet from sustained sun, and hard, hollow-feeling snow that's been packed by recent winds. Move on to shadier or lower-angled slopes if you find the first, and avoid crossing the second on steep slopes. The wet snow avalanche hazard will develop through the day; the wind slabs are more widespread at upper elevations, though you might find them in unusual spots.

Near-surface snow conditions are key to determining today's avalanche hazards. Where winds have hardened that snow into drifts and slabs, avoid crossing on or under steep start zones. Where the snow remains soft and loose, natural and triggered sluffs are possible. Don't let these catch you as you ride, or smack you from above while you're stopped. 

Near-surface snow conditions are key to determining today's avalanche hazards. Where winds have hardened that snow into drifts and slabs, avoid crossing on or under steep start zones. Where the snow remains soft and loose, natural and triggered sluffs are possible. Don't let these catch you as you ride, or smack you from above while you're stopped. 

Keep it short, simple, and out of the wind today.  Blustery northeast winds are thickening wind slabs in wind hammered terrain.  Severe wind chill will complicate decision making and any attempts at rescue.