It's been a long, dry spell, but we know it always snows in Utah and it looks like a pattern shift is on the doorstep for the weekend. So... while the riding and turning conditions are a bit underwhelming, you can start prepping by getting out on the snow and create a visual map of our snow cover... where snow exists, how weak is it, and what is the distribution? By creating either a cerebral or image-based map, you'll have this dialed in once the winter switch gets turned on and you'll know the type of terrain to avoid (hint... steep, upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass) and those you can ride safely (answer... slopes facing the south half of the compass with no pre-existing snow)... done and done.

For today, the avalanche hazard is generally LOW and you'd really have to go out of your way to find an avalanche today. However, the Uinta's are a big place and there may be a shallow, fresh wind drift that reacts to our additional weight. So, look for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow, tone it down, take it slow and remember- it's a long season and you definitely don't want to instantly end it before things get going.