Field Observation One of the most critical tools is to observe conditions traveling to and skiing in the area. This is an excellent indicator of snow stability and where the most sensitive areas may be. Any of these conditions suggests that the snowpack is very unstable and the avalanche hazard is high. This indicates the presence of a wind slab and potential instability. These conditions all suggest that the avalanche hazard may be increasing.
New snow needs time to settle and bond.
The more snow that has fallen in a short period of time, the greater the risk. Wind loading can produce dangerous loading and slabs on lee slopes. If you want to find out what's happening within the snowpack, dig in to it. A snow profile can give you very good information about the layers within the snowpack. Stability tests in conjunction with a profile will help identify weak bonding layers and potential instability.