Colorado: Winds add to avalanche woes

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Avalanche danger still at ‘considerable” rating; don’t let your guard down

High winds in the alpine zone have reloaded avalanche paths in the Colorado high country.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Despite a few days of sunny weather across the high country, forecasters with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center warn that the backcountry avalanche danger hasn’t eased much — in fact, strong winds have redeposited some of the fresh snow into avalanche starting zones as thick slabs that are still sitting atop a base of weak layers. (more…)

Filed under: avalanches, Snow and weather, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Forest Service to review ski area avalanches

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Director of National Avalanche Center sees trend of more inbounds and sidecountry accidents

Colorado avalanche Copper Mountain

A spring wet snow avalanche in the Tenmile Range near Copper Mountain, Colorado.

The avalanche danger in the Colorado backcountry is still rated as considerable, with triggered slides likely in many areas.

By Bob Berwyn

VAIL — A U.S. Forest Service review of two recent inbounds avalanche deaths at Colorado ski areas will be aimed at determining whether the resorts followed all required snow safety procedures required under their permits, and whether any changes are needed, according to Eagle/Holy Cross district ranger Dave Neely.

Christopher Norris, 28, of Evergreen was killed by a slide Sunday afternoon (Jan. 22) on the Mary Jane side of Winter Park Resort, and 13-year-old Taft Conlin of Eagle died the same day in avalanche on a closed slope at Vail Mountain.

“It’s our responsibility to oversee the operations of ski areas on public lands,” said Ken Kowynia, the agency’s winter sports program administrator in the Rocky Mountain region. (more…)

Filed under: avalanches, Colorado, recreation, ski industry, Ski Resorts, skiing and riding, Snow and weather, Summit County news, Summit County snow and weather, Vail Resorts | Tagged: , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Colorado: Time to get avalanche savvy

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

The debris pile from a large wet-snow avalanche in Tenmile Canyon, May, 2011.

Snow pros gather in Leadville for 10th annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche workshop; education session open to anyone interested in gaining avalanche knowledge

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — With the first few winter-like storms already passed, avalanche experts in Colorado are starting to prepare for the coming season. Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecasts will resume Nov. 1 but before that, the snow-savvy forecasters will gather Oct. 14 in Leadville for the 10th annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop.

The fall powwow is billed as a professional development session for snow and avy pros but is open to anyone with an interest in avalanches, snow science and mountain weather. Advance registration is $20 ($30 at the door). Check the CSAW website for more details, including a map to the location, a full agenda and online registration.

This year’s workshop features presentations by local and international experts, as well as the eagerly awaited winter weather outlook from National Weather Service forecaster Joe Ramey.

“It’s the kickoff for our winter season. It’s usually not long after CSAW that we start to see our first avalanche incidents,” said CAIC forecaster Scott Toepfer. “We really wanted to have a good one this year since it’s the 10th one,” Toepfer said. (more…)

Filed under: avalanches, climate and weather, snow, Snow and weather, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Morning photo: Be avy savvy!

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Learn to recognize avalanche hazards in the backcountry

A small hard slab avalanche on an easily accessible slope near the top of Loveland Pass shows how precarious layers can develop on seemingly harmless slopes.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The warning message from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center these days is that, if there’s enough snow to ski, there’s enough snow to slide. The recent snowfall in the northern Colorado mountains has definitely delivered enough snow to build up some pockets of snow that could be triggered by a backcountry traveler. Have a look at the following pictures to see some where some avalanches happened last year. Being able to recognize avalanche terrain and avoid potential danger is the key to safe backcountry travel in winter. See the related story on current avalanche conditions here. Click on the images to see larger versions … (more…)

Filed under: skiing and riding | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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