A major storm moving toward the mountains is expected to send a good amount of snow to the slopes, increasing the risk of avalanches.
While dumping powder conditions are ideal for fun on prepared ski runs, where resorts have avalanche safety systems in place, officials at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center say avalanche hazard should be top of mind for those who travel to the backcountry. planning to enter into business.
"Avalanche risk changes with each winter storm," said CIAC director Ethan Greene. "It looks like a snowy period, so we're going to see a significant increase in avalanche risk. Where people got used to going and riding last month, today and especially tomorrow is really going to change." Going to do. "
CIAC has recorded 41 human-induced avalanches in the last seven days.
Green said the increase in avalanche risk is due to two things: a very dry start of the year, which weakened the snowpack, and the wind we've experienced building up the latest slabs of ice on top of the surface. Is. ,
“These avalanches are usually very small, but they are large enough to injure you or even kill you. Especially if you are in a terrain trap, such as someone pushing you off a cliff or into an alleyway or trees,” Green said.
Green encourages you to check avalanche forecasts at colorado.gov/avalanche. If you're going to be on backcountry or mountains with slopes less than 30 degrees outside of prepared ski areas, you'll want to make sure you have avalanche safety equipment as well. Green recommends Avalanche Rescue transceivers, a probe pole, and a shovel for everyone in the group.
