I unintentionally triggered a Persistent Slab avalanche on a steep north-facing slope. While descending a ridge between 2 chutes, I broke through the snow and punched my ski tips down into the layer of loose facets. This caused me to fall and instantly trigger the slab. I estimate the slab broke 2' deep and 40' wide. I was carried roughly 350' down the slope. I deployed my airbag and was on the surface when the debris came to rest. This avalanche occurred far down off the ridge in a part of the slope that is fairly sheltered from the wind and sun.

I'm still thinking through the incident and lessons to share but 2 critical errors that stand out to me are:

1. I thought that I could manage the terrain to avoid the avalanche problem.

2. I thought that the most likely place to trigger the avalanche would be high up on the slope and close to the ridge in one of the primary start zones.