SAN LUIS VALLEY-  Avalanche season is well underway on Wolf Creek Pass and in the San Luis Valley. There are several different agencies that help to keep people as safe as possible. It is important to understand when and where to be extra cautious. Wolf Creek Ski Resort Owner Rosanne Pitcher gave insight to snow science and how the resort works closely with Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) to keep skiers as safe as possible.
“It is an exact science. We were fortunate this year to have early season wet snow which helped fill in some of our slide areas. Wet snow is better when it comes to avalanches. It is the dry snow that can come later that we are concerned about.” Pitcher stated that though risk is minimal within the resort boundaries, the real risk comes when individuals venture out into the backcountry.
“We are constantly monitoring our area within the resort and about seven miles around the main perimeter. Beyond that though we do not have much information which is where the CAIC comes in. Anyone traveling outside of the resort’s boundaries should really pay attention to what the CAIC says about conditions and don’t go if you don’t know.”
Just in the last few weeks, the Gunnison Country Times and Durango herald have reported a total of three deaths due to avalanches in the southwest region of Colorado so far this year. The shocking part of all three deaths was the fact that the three men were experienced skiers and in the case of Jeff “Schnoid” Schneider, he was an experienced ski patroller and trained to identify avalanche dangers.
“We have several protocols in place to keep skiers safe but ultimately it is up to everyone to be cautious and to know your limits. People who are experienced outdoor enthusiasts carry avalanche beacons and probs and know what to look for in the back country, but even then, it can become a dangerous incident,” continued Pitcher.
Wolf Creek Ski resort is not the only agency that works to keep people safe during avalanche season. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is another organization that works throughout the winter to identify dangers to the road on Wolf Creek and try to mitigate avalanches as much as possible.
Three years ago, a large slide closed down Highway 160 on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass for nearly two days while CDOT crews worked to clear debris from the roadway. The steep, high peaks all along the pass are the perfect locations for potential avalanche dangers but are closely monitored by CDOT officials.  
“Currently on both the east and west sides of the Wolf Creek pass, the avalanche threat to the highway is limited to small bank slips with very minimal impacts on the roadway. With the help of CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) forecasters we will continue to monitor known slide paths and bar ditches, particularly if we receive any significant snowstorms that will increase the chances of slides. Should the avalanche conditions escalate, crews will be ready to respond, conducting avalanche control operations,” stated CDOT Communications Manager Lisa Schwantes.
Swantes continued to state, “As a reminder to the traveling public, when avalanche mitigation is needed, CDOT will close the highway, crews will trigger avalanches, plows and heavy equipment will clear any snow that may make it to the roadway, we can then open the highway safely for travel. The whole point of our avalanche mitigation program is to eliminate the risk of natural slides!  
More broadly, we can’t stress enough how important it is for folks to really do their homework before heading out on road trips, whether they are heading into the mountains to enjoy the backcountry or traversing over a mountain pass to get from one community to another. Know before you go!
1. Check weather forecasts on your favorite weather app.
2. Check road conditions at www.COtrip.org.
3. Check avalanche conditions in the backcountry at www.avalanche.state.co.us.”
Always know before you go and stay safe while enjoying the winter wonderland many of us call home!