Snow has blanketed mountaintops across Colorado, hyping up skiers and snowboarders across the state, but the flurries 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 gets underway, Colorado Avalanche Information Center Deputy Director Brian Lazar said that anyone navigating the backcountry — whether skiing, snowshoeing, hiking or hunting — should consider whether avalanches could be a threat in the terrain they plan to enter.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center posted its first daily avalanche forecast Thursday, Oct. 31. Those looking to get out in the Colorado backcountry this winter can check the avalanche forecast at Avalanche.
State.co.us .
Forecasts are posted daily by 4:30 p.m. for the following day.
“In those areas that have picked the most snow, we have enough of a snowpack to obscure the ground,” Lazar said. “So that means it’s time to think about avalanches, and we already have seen the first avalanches of the season.” Winter in Colorado is off to a good start, with the snowpack statewide at 155% of the median for this time of year.
As winter continues, backcountry travelers should share avalanche observations to help the avalanche center forecasters gather 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 heavie.
