A skier triggered the first avalanche of Colorado’s 2025-26 winter season near Treasury Mountain in the Elk Mountains on Friday, October 24, following an overnight storm that delivered more than eight inches of fresh snow to the area. Treasury Mountain is roughly seven miles southwest of Aspen’s Snowmass Mountain.
Related: The Dangers of Early Season Backcountry Skiing
According to a field report on the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) website, the storm deposited 8.26 inches of new powder on Treasury Mountain, with Paradise Divide recording 4.72 inches. The snowpack comprised an 8-centimeter-thick (3-inch) melt-freeze crust, which was pencil-hard and overlaying a 1–2 mm layer of facets.
“We went to look at how the snow was settling up high. Before the storm there was a melt freeze crust of about 8 cm thick. This layer was pencil hard and, there was Facets just underneath it ranging from 1-2 mm in size.”
– CAIC field report
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) cautioned backcountry skiers and riders that early-season accumulation, while seemingly modest, can create hazardous conditions when new snow rests on unstable underlayers. Officials encourage users to consult local avalanche forecasts before venturing out and to carry essential safety gear—including beacons, shovels, and probes. CAIC daily bulletins are scheduled to begin on November 1.
Related: Brain Post: The Hidden Dangers of an Early Season Snowpack
Recent storm patterns suggest sporadic but significant snow events in Colorado’s high country. Forecasters note that similar small slides are possible on steep slopes where consistent snow cover exists—even where overall totals are below midwinter averages.
The first skier-triggered avalanche of last winter was on Sunday, October 20.
Related: SnowBrains Podcast Ep. 73 | Dr. Ethan Greene – Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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