(COLORADO) — As snow begins to fall in Colorado’s high country, avalanche season is officially underway. In fact, the state recorded its first avalanche of the season on October 24th in Gunnison County. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but it serves as an early reminder of the hazards that come with the first significant snowfalls of the season.
This particular slide occurred after about 10 inches of snow fell onto a shallow snowpack, creating unstable layers beneath the surface. When these weak layers collapse, the snow above can break loose and cascade downhill, much like a row of dominoes falling after the first one is tipped.
Avalanches typically form when several key ingredients come together:
A buildup of snow
Weak layers within the snowpack
A slope steep enough to allow movement
And a trigger for it to collapse
These early-season slides are common and can be extremely dangerous for anyone venturing into the mountains, whether it’s skiers, snowboarders, hikers, or even drivers traveling through mountain passes.
For those heading into avalanche-prone areas, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) provides daily forecasts and travel advisories, updated around 4:30 p.m. each day. While meteorologists monitor how much snow is falling, the CAIC issues detailed avalanche conditions, danger ratings, and travel recommendations for specific locations across the state.
As more snow accumulates in the coming weeks, it’s important to check the latest avalanche forecast before heading into the high country. A few minutes of preparation can make all the difference in staying safe this winter.
