Avalanche danger could be worse than last winter

Experts are warning that another dry start to this winter could mean increased avalanche danger in Summit County later on in the season.

Brian Lazar with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center tells The Summit Daily News that so far this year, a weak base layer has been topped with more snow than last season. That means avalanches could be bigger and just as easy to trigger.

No avalanche deaths have been reported in Colorado this winter, but several people have been caught in slides across the state. Last year, the first of seven total deaths did not occur until mid-January.

Lazar says people should educate themselves on current snowpack conditions by staying up to date on avalanche advisories.

An average of 25 people die in avalanches in the United States every year.