Several human-triggered avalanches have been reported over the past few days, including one near Vail Pass on Thursday, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
The Vail Pass avalanche broke at the ground, CAIC said. While relatively small, it could have injured somebody if they had been caught in it. The avalanche was triggered by skiers.
CAIC said people should avoid steep slopes, especially on north and northeast faces across the state for the next few days.
A skier submitted a photo and report on the Vail Pass avalanche to CAIC. CAIC said this is very helpful and helps its forecast team.
To report an avalanche, visit CAIC's website here.
CAIC said there have been multiple human-triggered avalanches over the past few days. In addition to the one at Vail Pass, there were recent avalanches at Berthoud Pass, Montezuma and near the Eisenhower Tunnel.
"With a relatively shallow early season's snowpack, it is not difficult to affect these layers and create a failure," CAIC wrote in a report Friday. "It is best to avoid traveling on steep wind-loaded slopes where these conditions exist."
CAIC said backcountry adventurers should "treat any steep, wind-loaded slope as guilty."
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Much of the mountains will see a moderate risk — level two of five — of avalanches Friday and Saturday at and above treeline.
For full details on current conditions, visit CAIC's website.
