Don't get fooled by today's, in-your-face, low density snow. Sure, the snowpack will feel solid. In fact, it's gonna feel strong and bomber under our skis, board, or sled. However, we need to think not only about the snow we're riding in, but also the snow we're riding on and the basement layer is a house of cards and needs some time to adjust from the recent round of snow, water, and wind. Slopes that haven't already avalanched naturally, just wait for a trigger like us to roll along and knock the legs out from underneath it. Today's avalanche danger is nothing to toy with as any avalanche triggered may have deadly consequences. Once triggered, slab avalanches will break on a persistent weak layer of old snow near the ground, resulting in a deep, wide, unmanageable slide.

Here's your exit strategy- there's plenty of safe, low angle terrain in the Uinta Mountains. But the key to avoiding avalanches is to avoid being on, under, or anywhere near slopes steeper than 30 degrees, especially those facing the north half of the compass.