Avalanche: Gunsight

Observer Name
LS
Observation Date
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Avalanche Date
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area » Gunsight
Location Name or Route
Gunsight - Alta
Elevation
10,100'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
6"
Width
20'
Comments
Triggered a small wind slab when dropping into Gunsight at Alta this morning. I chose to ski there because I knew some snow from the last storm was still hanging around and hoped it would prevent me from hitting too many rocks. Turns out I still hit many rocks and that old snow did not create a very strong bond to the new snow. Combined with a small amount of wind effect, this created a very reactive, propagating layer of new snow that broke across the rocks to the skiers right of gunsight as soon as I made my first turn and ran the length of the chute, about 500’. My guard is usually completely down at this time of year, so this was a surprise and a good reminder to stay vigilant. Getting carried would probably involve some uncomfortable rock encounters.
Coordinates