{"id":11115,"date":"2021-01-13T17:53:03","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T00:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/?p=11115"},"modified":"2021-05-25T14:53:52","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T20:53:52","slug":"why-the-snowpack-sucks-and-what-to-do-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/why-the-snowpack-sucks-and-what-to-do-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Snowpack Sucks\u2014and What to Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Stay Alive this Winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

(Editor’s Note: This post is an overview of current avalanche conditions and factors with general recommendations for staying safe. It does not replace formal avalanche education, and it should not be used as a standalone guide for DIY snow safety.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The year 2020 may be gone, but\u2014true to form\u2014it left us with a garbage snowpack here in Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Put an avalanche course on your calendar. | PHOTO: Colorado Mountain School<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As if dangerous backcountry conditions are ever welcome, the timing now is particularly bad. Hundreds of new alpine tourers have taken the plunge into earning their turns, looking to escape crowds, reservation systems, and COVID petri dishes. Subsequently, experts are pushing further from popular areas onto more consequential slopes to find fresh turns and avoid people. It’s an ominous recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red flags went up early. Hair-raising videos from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center<\/a> made rounds on social media. Four people died in avalanches in the early season. None of them were rookies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what’s the deal with this abnormally nasty snowpack? And how can skiers stay safe? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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