An avalanche warning is in effect for Colorado’s most popular high country recreation areas — including Summit and Eagle counties — as officials warn of extremely weak snowpack that has left “very dangerous” conditions on mountain slopes.
The warning is in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
“Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the Vail and Summit County and the Front Range zones,” the Colorado Avalanche Information Center says. “Human-triggered avalanches are very likely near and above treeline. It is possible to trigger avalanche from lower down on slopes, from adjacent slopes, or from a distance.”
The CAIC says backcountry travelers can reduce their risk of being caught in a deadly avalanche by staying off of and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.
“Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended,” the warning says.
Many high country areas received more than a foot of snow over the weekend, leaving skiers and snowboarders reveling in deep conditions.
Hello Sunshine! A peek in the clouds today in Northwoods. P: Skier: Cynthia Johnson
— Vail (@vailmtn)
The new snow also created high danger for out-of-bounds skiers and riders.
A skier triggered an avalanche on Berthoud Pass on Sunday, according to CAIC. Officials say the slide happened during a group’s second lap on the same slope.
“The first rider skied the path without incident,” CAIC said. “The second rider made three to four turns and the slope released. The skier was able to exit the avalanche without injury.”
A backcountry skier died Sunday in a Montana avalanche and another rider died in a Nevada slide that happened on Saturday, the CAIC reports.
Joel Gratz, co-founder of snow forecasting site OpenSnow.com, says Colorado could see more snow on Wednesday and Thursday with a stronger storm expected on Friday and Saturday.
