Here is some general avalanche advice for spring. As my live-in, 97-year-old mother-in-law from the Czech Republic says, "Spring is a fight between winter and summer." In the mountains, this means that spring weather alternates between winter snow storms and summer wet avalanches when it heats up between storms. So first for wet avalanche advice:

Snow does not like rapid change, and when cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends) and occasional wet slabs. Also, slabs can involve old snow 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 after a few day of percolating melt water, 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 ground like a glacier until they suddenly release into a full-depth avalanche. These occur regularly on steep rock slabs and occasionally on steep grassy slopes. Notorious glide avalanche locations include places Stairs Gulch or the rock slabs in Broads Fork, which you should always avoid in spring. Avoid crossing under any slopes with telltale glide cracks in the snowpack. Remember they come down randomly, even at night.

The bottom line for wet avalanches:
Get out early and get home early. Get off of--and out from underneath--any slope approaching 35 degrees or steeper when the snow becomes wet enough to not support your weight. Warning signs may include:

• Roller balls (pinwheels) in new snow that is getting wet for the first time
• Natural or human triggered wet sluffs
• Small sluffs fanning out into larger slides, or running long distances
• Punchy or collapsing crusts
• Cornices breaking off
• Several days of strong melting combined with no refreeze at night

Any of these signs mean it's time to head home, or at least change to an aspect with cooler snow. Remember, even "smaller" slides can be dangerous in high-consequence terrain, such as above a terrain trap, trees, rocks, cliffs or a long, large avalanche path. Plan your trip to have a safe exit back to the car.

We almost always get several winter-like snow storms in May and sometimes into June. Treat each storm just like you would in winter. Avalanches can occur within the new snow typically from 1) low density layers deposited during the storm, 2) high precipitation intensity during a storm and 3) from wind slabs created during the storm. It's easy to test the new snow as you travel by jumping on small test slopes to see if they avalanche or just dig down with your hand to see how well the new snow is bonding. Snow can change dramatically in both space and time so never let your guard down. Especially avoid any steep slope with recent wind deposits, which are almost always dangerous.

Finally, remember, most of the ski resorts are closed for the season with no avalanche control, so treat it just like backcountry terrain. Each spring several close calls and occasional fatalities occur at ski resorts closed for the season. Steep slopes at ski resorts are safe all winter ONLY because of regular avalanche control with explosives so after the resort closes it instantly becomes backcountry. It's hard to get your head wrapped around the fact that a slope that has moguls all winter can be dangerous avalanche terrain when the resorts are closed. Practice usual backcountry protocol, go one at a time, never travel above other people and practice all the usual risk reduction measures and low-risk travel ritual you learn in avalanche classes. We've had 3 tragic fatalities this season in Utah. We don't need more.