In general you can count on several types of avalanche conditions in the spring-   Whenever we get a storm the avalanche danger will rise, as the new snow might not bond well to the existing hard, slick crust it falls on. As always, recent avalanche activity as well as cracking and collapsing of the snowpack are dead giveaways the snow is unstable. Even if these clues don’t present themselves, be sure to do some tests on smaller slopes that are similar in aspect, elevation and slope angle to what you want to ride on. Choose test slopes that have minimal consequences, especially after a significant snowfall. If there's wind associated with the storm or if there's snow available to blow round before it gets cooked into place, expect to find wind drifts, reactive to our additional weight, on leeward slopes.   Wet slides and sluffs are pretty easy to manage. As the day wares on and the snow heats up, like clockwork, wet avalanches become more

When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, you may see wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).   Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after multiple days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night.   Wet avalanches usually don't last forever because over time, days or weeks of percolating meltwater, all the layers in the snow disappear, and the snow becomes homogeneous and dense, turning into a stable summer-like snowpack. Typically, this cycle of instability maturing into stability occurs first on the south-facing slopes in early spring, then progresses to the east and west-facing slopes in mid-spring, and finally, by late spring, the upper elevation north facing slopes go through a wet avalanche cycle.   Glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the ground like a glacier unti

When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).   Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after 3 days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night.   Luckily, wet avalanches usually don't last forever because over time, days or weeks of percolating meltwater, all the layers in the snow disappear, and the snow becomes homogenous and dense, turning into a stable summer-like snowpack. Typically, this cycle of instability maturing into stability occurs first on the south-facing slopes in early spring, then progresses to the east and west-facing slopes in mid-spring, and finally, by late spring, the upper elevation north facing slopes go through a wet avalanche cycle.   Finally, glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the groun

When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, you may see wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).   Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after multiple days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night.   Wet avalanches usually don't last forever because over time, days or weeks of percolating meltwater, all the layers in the snow disappear, and the snow becomes homogeneous and dense, turning into a stable summer-like snowpack. Typically, this cycle of instability maturing into stability occurs first on the south-facing slopes in early spring, then progresses to the east and west-facing slopes in mid-spring, and finally, by late spring, the upper elevation north facing slopes go through a wet avalanche cycle.   Glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the ground like a glacier unti

Spring Time Avalanche Concerns   Timing is everything this time of year. Get in early and out early, both for the best snow conditions and to avoid the threat of loose, wet avalanches. Follow the sun and ride slopes with an easterly aspect first, then move to south, and finally west. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow. If you find yourself sinking into wet snow above your ankles, you're out too late.    Loose Wet Avalanches are the most common springtime avalanche hazard as a strong sun and warm temps melt and soften the snow surface. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and "point release" sluffs that fan out and gather more snow as they travel down the slope. Timing is everything this time of year. Work slopes according to their aspect in relation to the sun and get off of steep slopes as they become wet and sloppy.   Wet Slabs release when melt water saturates a layer in the snowpack and the