The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is warning backcountry mountain travelers to be alert for potential avalanche hazards on the San Francisco Peaks. The existing snowpack, recent wind events, and a large amount of new snow could produce hazardous conditions in the backcountry. This includes the side country bordering the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area, where no avalanche control or routine patrolling is conducted. Skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers need to understand the conditions and the warning signs of avalanche activity. Backcountry users can obtain a Snowpack Summary outlining possible snowpack hazards from the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center at kachinapeaks.org. Natural avalanche activity had already been reported on the San Francisco Peaks prior to this current storm.
