Crested Butte Avalanche Center

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Crested Butte Avalanche Center

Check out our website for current avalanche forecasts, weather and observations in the Crested Butte, CO area! http://www.cbavalanchecenter.org/
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Check out our website for current avalanche forecasts, weather and observations!

05/14/2026

The Avalanche hot streak continues, with our first large wet slab observed yesterday on Whetstone and a 🔥 comeback last night in Denver.

05/13/2026

We're in the biggest warm-up since our March wet cycle, with high temperatures peaking on Wednesday before a slight cooling trend continues through the week. The poor refreezes and hot temperatures are causing an increase in the frequency and size of wet loose avalanches. Travel early and choose less consequential terrain once you start sinking past your ankles.

Photos show recent wet avalanches on Whetstone and Axtell, most of which ran on Tuesday. The temperature plot is for the past 7 days at Dan K-Elkton, at 11,000'.

05/04/2026

We are wrapping up regular operations for the season and have issued a final spring travel advisory. Throughout the remainder of the off-season, the CBAC will continue to maintain its observations page and update its Facebook and Instagram accounts to alert users of unusual or noteworthy avalanche conditions, should they develop. Please keep sending us your obs! We sincerely thank everyone in the valley for your support this winter: our sponsors, partners, and all of you who share observations and follow along with our products. Have a safe and fun spring season!

Photo shows a skier triggered avalanche today near Daisy Pass.

05/01/2026

From Friday through the weekend, the primary avalanche concern will be wet loose avalanches. These will be most common at mid- and upper-elevations, where snow that accumulated over the past week warms and becomes wet. Expect a typical spring pattern, with good stability in the morning before the danger increases later in the day as wet snow develops. Any slab avalanche concerns are expected to be very isolated to the highest peaks, where soft slabs could be resting on small facets on a few northerly-facing slopes.

A fresh spring conditions update has been posted to our website, and more details can be found there.

Photo 1: An example of wet avalanche activity that occurred on the north side of Cascade in late April. Similar avalanches could occur over the next few days.

Photo 2: A wind slab that was remotely triggered at 13,000ft on Mt Owen last Wednesday. This avalanche broke about 16" deep on facets. Lingering slab avalanche concerns on these facets are expected to be very isolated. Still, if you are skiing steep terrain in the highest peaks, this is an observation that should be on your radar.

04/29/2026

A new snowpack update is live at www.cbavalanchecenter.org
Stability is improving after an uptick in slab avalanches resulting from Sunday's storm. Stay alert for lingering exceptions - soft slabs breaking 1 to 2 feet thick. They're most likely found on high-elevation, northerly slopes, or in very steep/extreme terrain. Tuesday's few inches of snow may have drifted into thin and relatively harmless wind slabs below alpine ridges. If we see periods of prolonged sunshine, manage for small wet loose avalanches involving the fresh snow.

Photos 1&2: Skier triggered storm slabs on Schuylkill Ridge on Monday
Photo 3: Skier triggered wind slab on Castle Peak on Monday, resulting in a partial burial. Credit CAIC/Anonymous
Photo 4: Skier triggered storm slab on Tuesday near Mt. Justice/Marble. Credit CAIC/Anonymous.

04/27/2026

Fresh snow combined with gusty southwest to westerly winds is driving an increase in avalanche danger. Don’t be misled by the modest snowfall at valley bottoms—amounts rise significantly with elevation, reaching a foot or more in many areas. On Sunday, observers reported both natural and human-triggered slab avalanches on leeward slopes above treeline. Today, you are likely to find sensitive slabs within the storm snow, especially on wind-drifted features. In some locations, soft slab instabilities may also extend into wind-sheltered terrain.

Most avalanches are expected to remain relatively small, but heavily wind-loaded slopes could produce large slides. You can reduce your risk by avoiding wind-drifted terrain and carefully evaluating the storm snow in sheltered areas where more than 8 inches has accumulated. Watch for cracking in the snow surface—this is a clear sign of instability.

Unsettled weather will persist through Monday and Tuesday. Periods of sunshine may briefly warm the snowpack, increasing the likelihood of loose avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes. Monitor the snow surface for signs of warming, such as moist or sticky snow, which can signal the development of wet loose avalanche conditions.

Images - Fresh avalanches on leeward terrain above treeline from Sunday.

04/26/2026

Sensitive slabs at higher elevations today

04/25/2026

A new snowpack update is up on our website for the weekend warrior crowd.
Saturday: Avalanches are unlikely and small, offering generally safe avalanche conditions for traveling in steep terrain. Use normal caution.
Sunday: The avalanche danger will increase throughout the day as snowfall and wind loading create new instabilities. Slabs of wind-drifted snow will grow in size and could release naturally later in the day. Avoid traveling on steep, wind-loaded slopes, and monitor for developing storm instabilities.

The image shows OpenSnow's model blend for snow totals through sunset on Sunday.

04/21/2026

On Tuesday and Wednesday, you can expect continued spring conditions with small wet loose avalanches as your primary avalanche problem. Remember, this avalanche type can be powerful, so even a small sluff can push you into more hazardous terrain. The window for good corn skiing will be shorter on Tuesday and Wednesday due to poor overnight freezes.

A colder temperature trend moves in for Thursday and Friday. Normal caution travel advice is expected to finish out the remainder of the work week.

You can find more information on our website. The next snowpack update will be issued by Saturday, April 25 at 7 a.m., or earlier if conditions warrant.

Photo 1: Recent wet loose avalanches on Mineral Point

Photo 2: Rollerballs like this are indicative of previously dry snow transitioning into a wet loose avalanche problem.

04/17/2026

With fresh snow coming tonight, a fresh snowpack update is live on our website. In steep, consequential terrain, manage for shallow avalanches involving the new and recently drifted snow, such as these avalanches triggered earlier this week on Mt. Axtell and the Anthracites.

Photo 1: Ryan Huck
Photo 2: Jack Fanselow

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Crested Butte, CO
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http://cbavalanchecenter.org/

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