Early-Season Stoke Can Cloud Our Judgment, but Avalanches Don’t Wait for Winter

It’s still October. The snow is thin. And avalanche season is already here.

Early-season turns? We get it. After months of waiting, a little snow in the mountains can make it tempting to grab your gear and go. But Colorado just gave us a reminder that early-season avalanches are a real risk and avalanche season doesn't wait for winter.

On October 25, a skier triggered a wind slab avalanche on Mount Bross in Colorado’s Mosquito Range. One skier was buried, with their head just beneath the debris. Thanks to a quick companion rescue, their partners recovered them in approximately five minutes, and the group was able to self-evacuate.

We're glad this incident had a positive rescue outcome. And we're sharing it not to shame anyone for getting out there, but because every avalanche is an opportunity for the backcountry community to learn, get curious, and sharpen our own decision-making.

So, what can we take away from this one?

1. Early-Season Avalanche Safety in Colorado: Shallow Snowpack Doesn’t Mean Low Danger

We all know the excitement of finding that one little pocket of good snow when the rest of the mountain is looking pretty bare. But here's the catch: that pocket might be holding more than just the goods.

Wind transports snow and deposits it in specific areas, creating dense, cohesive slabs. Those wind-loaded pockets can hold the best skiing and the greatest avalanche hazard, even when the surrounding snowpack is shallow.

Add rocks, cliffs, and other obstacles hiding beneath the snow, and even a relatively small avalanche can have serious consequences.

The lesson? Don't let a few good turns convince you the conditions are safer than they are. Early-season terrain deserves just as much respect as a midwinter powder day.

2. Know your red flags — and be willing to change the plan

Cracking in the snow, recent avalanche activity, and signs of wind loading are all reasons to pause and reassess. Cracking can indicate that a slab is fracturing, while recent avalanches are direct evidence that the snowpack has failed nearby.

When these warning signs show up, especially around slopes steeper than 30 degrees, it's time to take a hard look at your terrain choices.

This is where good backcountry decision-making comes in. It's not just about knowing the forecast or identifying avalanche terrain. It's about connecting what you're seeing in the field to the decisions you're making.

And sometimes, the best decision is to ski something less consequential, change objectives, or call it a day.

You can almost always find another place to ski (okay, harder in October).

3. Check your beacon before you leave the trailhead

Your avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe are non-negotiables. But having the gear is only the first step. You need to know it's working, know how to use it, and be ready to put those skills into action.

Make your group beacon check part of your trailhead routine. Confirm that everyone's transceiver is functioning properly and switch to transmit mode before heading out on the tour.

Waiting until the top of a slope to check equipment means you've missed an opportunity to catch a problem before entering consequential terrain.

Build good habits early. Every tour, every time. No shortcuts.

4. Bring radios, make a plan, and actually communicate

Ever dropped into a run and immediately lost sight of your friends? Now imagine that same scenario when you're moving through avalanche terrain.

Before anyone drops, your group should agree on the route, identify safe zones, establish where everyone will regroup, and know what to do if someone doesn't show up.

Carry radios and use them. Radios help you communicate between start and end points, confirm that the previous skier has reached a safe location, and coordinate when the next person can drop. Agree on a channel and a clear communication protocol before skiing.

Radios aren't a replacement for visual contact, good spacing, or smart terrain choices. They're another tool to help your group stay connected and make informed decisions.

And don't leave communication to chance. If someone doesn't check in, or you lose radio contact, everyone should know the backup plan.

A two-minute conversation before dropping can make a huge difference when things don't go as planned.

So, what did this group do well?

It's just as important to recognize what went right.

The group had the appropriate avalanche rescue equipment, knew how to perform a companion rescue, and had basic CPR knowledge. Their ability to locate and dig out their partner in approximately five minutes was critical. They were also able to respond to the situation and evacuate the area.

That matters. Having a beacon, shovel, and probe is essential, but knowing how to use them under pressure is what turns that equipment into a rescue. And if someone is injured or unresponsive, knowing basic CPR and emergency response skills can make a real difference, too.

We can't eliminate every risk in the mountains, but we can prepare ourselves to respond when something goes wrong. This is why we practice, not because we expect every tour to go sideways, but because if it does, we want the skills and confidence to help our people.

What does this look like at VNTRbirds?

At VNTRbirds, our AIARE courses are about more than memorizing avalanche terminology or learning to find a signal with your beacon. We're here to help you build the skills, judgment, and confidence to make thoughtful decisions in the backcountry.

In our AIARE Level 1 courses, we cover avalanche terrain, identifying signs of instability, using forecasts and field observations, planning tours, and practicing companion rescue.

In AIARE Level 2, we build on those foundations with more advanced snowpack assessment, evaluating avalanche problems, managing uncertainty, and making terrain and travel decisions as a group.

And because rescue skills are only useful if you can put them into practice, we also offer AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses focused on developing and refreshing the companion rescue skills you hope you'll never need, but absolutely want to have.

The mountains will always come with uncertainty. Our goal is to help you recognize it, talk about it with your crew, and make informed decisions together.

Early-season stoke is real. Just don't let it do the decision-making for you. Take your time, pay attention to the snow, practice your rescue skills, and remember that choosing lower-angle terrain or turning around is a successful day in the backcountry, too.

Ready to build your skills?

Read the full Colorado Avalanche Information Center incident report and use it as an opportunity to reflect on your own decision-making.

Want to get out there with more knowledge and confidence?

• Explore VNTRbirds AIARE Level 1, Level 2, and avalanche education courses

• Practice your companion rescue skills with a VNTRbirds AIARE Avalanche Rescue course. Because beacon practice, efficient shoveling, and working as a team are skills worth refreshing every season.

Stay curious, look out for your people, and let's make good decisions out there. 🪶

See you in the mountains!