Snow has blanketed Colorado’s mountain peaks, exciting skiers and snowboarders across the state, but snow showers also signal the start of avalanche season.

Traveling in the backcountry at any time of year can be dangerous and requires careful planning. But as winter approaches, Brian Lazar, deputy director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, said anyone navigating the backcountry — whether skiing, snowshoeing, hiking or hunting — should consider whether avalanches could pose a threat to the terrain into which it plans to venture.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center released its first daily avalanche forecast on Thursday, October 31. Those looking to get out into the Colorado backcountry this winter can check the avalanche forecast at Avalanche.State.co.us. Forecasts are posted daily at 4:30 p.m. for the next day.

“In the areas that have gotten the most snow, we have enough snow to obscure the ground,” Lazar said. “That means it’s time to think about avalanches, and we’ve already seen the first avalanches of the season.”

Winter in Colorado is off to a great start, with snowpack statewide, at 155% of the median for this time of year.

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As winter continues, backcountry travelers should share their avalanche observations to help forecasters at avalanche centers collect important data, Lazar said. He noted that anyone can submit an avalanche observation on the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website, regardless of their level of expertise.

The heaviest snowfall so far this season has been in the Elk and San Juan Mountains, which have already received 2 to 3 feet of snow in places, Lazar said. While the snow cover is currently thinner in places like Summit County and Front RangeA winter storm expected Sunday, Nov. 3, could change that, bringing heavier snowfall to the northern mountain region, he said.

But whether or not avalanches pose a threat, backcountry experts say the onset of winter can bring its own set of dangers and challenges. Summit County Rescue Group President Ben Butler said chief among them is the colder temperatures and more frigid conditions that backcountry travelers are likely to encounter this time of year .

“The last few days have been a good example of what this transition season can look like,” Butler said. “It will be nice and sunny one minute, then 20 to 30 minutes later it will be a whiteout.”

Backcountry planning in early winter

Carrying plenty of extra layers is an important part of backcountry planning as winter begins. Even if the sun is out and it’s warm at the start of a backcountry adventure, that can change quickly, Butler said.

It can be much colder in shady valleys and on mountain peaks, and the temperature can drop significantly at this time of year when the sun sets. Butler suggested bringing a rain jacket or hard snow jacket as well as insulated layers, a hat, gloves and a down jacket.

“It may be 50 to 60 degrees in town, but there could be a few inches of snow and some ice on the peaks,” Butler said. “So it’s very important to prepare for that with the right equipment and clothing at this time of year.”

Ice and snow also pose an added danger this time of year, increasing the risk of slips and falls in the backcountry. Depending on conditions, crampons or snowshoes may be useful.

Backcountry travelers should always pack the 10 essentials, but this time of year it’s important to add an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel if there is a risk to encounter avalanche terrain.

Even in places where there isn’t enough snow yet for avalanche conditions, Butler recommended replacing the batteries in avalanche transceivers to make sure they work and practicing with the tools to prepare for the season.

“In addition to making sure everything is prepped and ready to go, start practicing with the transceiver. Get together with some friends and start doing transceiver exercises,” Butler said. “Shake off the cobwebs and get ready for the season.” »

Preparing for avalanche season

As skiers and snowboarders dust off their gear and prepare for the winter season, fresh snowfall can be exciting, but anyone considering heading into the backcountry should be aware of the risks present during early winter .

Anywhere there are slopes greater than 30 degrees with snow largely obscuring the ground, covering rocks and grass, avalanche danger will be present, Lazar said. Backcountry travelers should carry a transceiver, probe, and shovel when entering this terrain. It is also recommended to travel with a partner who carries the same tools and knows how to use them.

North and east facing slopes, where the wind has carried recent snow and formed slabs at or above the tree line, provide the most problematic avalanche conditions facing backcountry travelers. -countries are likely to face this time of year, Lazar said.

“If you’re looking to slide on snow — to get your skis or board on — the problem this time of year presents is that the slopes that are the most exciting to slide on are necessarily the most dangerous,” Lazar said. “People are naturally drawn to places where the snow is deep enough to create an avalanche. »

At the start of winter, the consequences of even a small avalanche can be exacerbated by the thinness of the snowpack, Lazar explained. Even without triggering an avalanche, he said the shallow snowpack means there are more roots and rocks that could catch a ski and cause a fall.

“We have so little cover that even a little slip can drag you to the ground, which is really unforgiving,” Lazar said. “We’re talking about being dragged into roots, stumps, rocks. This could potentially ruin your season or worse.

As backcountry skiers and riders prepare for the upcoming season, they can pay attention to trails that are holding snow now, as these slopes will likely be the most problematic later as a weak layer will form, Lazar said. This is also a good time of year to watch out for slopes that contain rocks, roots and stumps, and which are grassier and less likely to contain obstacles when covered in snow.

“It’s often the time of year when it’s wise to temper your enthusiasm. It’s a long season. You’d hate to end it now,” Lazar said. “It’s pretty nice to jump into the pool this time of year and start on a low angle pitch with smooth, grassy ground underneath.”