Fresh snowfall drew plenty of skiers into Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, but the new snow and wind also created dangerous avalanche conditions. A video shared by professional skier Colter Hinchliffe captured one skier triggering an avalanche while navigating a steep couloir. Fortunately everyone involved was okay, but it is a good reminder that avalanche season has very much befun.
A lot of people have been getting out and skiing throughout the San Juans, an exciting scene as snow starts to fall more and more across the Rockies. However fresh snow and wind can create unpredictable avalanche conditions, particularly in steep and confined terrain.
Rather than using this video as an opportunity to criticize the skier and those involved, take it as an opportunity to learn from what happened.
Colorado Avalanche Forecast
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s November 4 forecast, avalanche danger is decreasing across Colorado following the weekend storm. Most areas are rated LOW (1 of 5), while parts of the Central and Southern Mountains have MODERATE (2 of 5) danger, primarily above treeline.
The main concern is isolated wind-drifted snow on steep alpine slopes. In portions of the Elk Mountains, buried weak layers could also produce dangerous avalanches where deeper snow slabs have formed. CAIC advises avoiding steep, wind-loaded terrain, noting that even a small slide could carry a skier into exposed rocks.
Recent observations near Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains found deep upper-elevation snow, evidence of avalanche activity, and a rain crust as high as 12,200 feet. Another round of snow is expected Wednesday night into Thursday, favoring the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, potentially extending isolated avalanche concerns.