CAIC: Avalanche warnings in effect for busy and notoriously dangerous holiday weekend

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Colorado Avalanche Information Center

A person stands on a slab of snow on a potential avalanche slope.
Avalanche conditions are changing fast. This slide caught CAIC forecasters off guard earlier this week — before the huge storm that’s about to hit. While doing fieldwork on Vail Pass, they unintentionally triggered this large (D2) Persistent Slab avalanche on a 27-degree, wind-drifted, north-facing slope. The incoming storm will increase the avalanche danger to HIGH (4 of 5) in many places across the state.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning backcountry travelers that the avalanche danger will rise to HIGH (4 of 5) over the Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day weekend, one of the busiest—and, historically, most dangerous—times of the season.

“We want people to enjoy a holiday weekend in the mountains, but they need to make sure their plan matches the avalanche danger, which will be higher than it has been in a month and a half,” said CAIC Director Ethan Greene.

A powerful storm is set to arrive Thursday night, bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds to the mountains through Saturday.

“Starting Friday, the avalanche danger will be HIGH in a lot of our mountains west of the Continental Divide,” said Greene. “We’re particularly concerned about avalanche accidents this weekend because portions of our snowpack are quite weak. We’ll see heavy snowfall after a fairly dry period, and lots of people will be heading into the backcountry to enjoy the holiday weekend.”

February is the deadliest month for avalanches in Colorado, and Valentine’s Day through Presidents Day weekend is the most dangerous period of the season. Over the past 10 years, eight people have died in avalanches between February 14-16.

“We expect natural avalanches this weekend, and people venturing into the backcountry will be able to trigger slides big enough to bury, injure, or kill them,” Greene warned. “And once the skies clear on Sunday, the chances of an accident will increase due to the nice weather, new snow, and dangerous avalanche conditions.”

CAIC assigns avalanche danger ratings using the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale, ranging from LOW (Level 1) to EXTREME (Level 5). When conditions become particularly hazardous, CAIC issues Avalanche Watches and Warnings to alert the public. Additionally, Special Avalanche Advisories are released when a significant safety risk coincides with a high-traffic period, such as a major storm during a holiday weekend.

Backcountry travelers should take the following precautions:

  • Check the avalanche forecast before heading out: colorado.gov/avalanche
  • Avoid avalanche-prone terrain during periods of heightened danger.
  • Always carry proper avalanche safety gear, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel — and know how to use them.
Avalanche fatalities in Colorado, 2005-2024, chart showing that February is the most dangerous month of the year.
February is historically the deadliest month for avalanches in Colorado, with the highest concentration of fatalities occurring between February 13-16. Over the past 20 years, more than one-third of all February avalanche deaths have happened during this four-day period — nearly double the expected number if fatalities were evenly distributed throughout the month.

CAIC: Avalanche warnings in effect for busy and notoriously dangerous holiday weekend