Dozens of Avalanches Reported Across Colorado Mountains

Backcountry explorers documented widespread avalanche activity over the weekend amid dangerous conditions.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Dozens of avalanches were reported across Colorado's mountain ranges over the weekend, with backcountry explorers filing numerous field reports of avalanche sightings and activity. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center had issued a special advisory warning of increased avalanche danger, and while no injuries or fatalities were reported, the agency said the dangerous conditions could persist for longer than the advisory period.

Why it matters

Colorado's mountain regions are popular destinations for outdoor recreation, and the high avalanche risk poses a serious threat to backcountry explorers. The scale and widespread nature of the avalanche activity highlights the importance of heeding safety warnings and exercising extreme caution when venturing into the backcountry during periods of heightened avalanche danger.

The details

According to reports filed with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, roughly four dozen explorers witnessed avalanches or their aftermath, with 19 people triggering avalanches themselves. One observer documented more than two dozen avalanche sightings in a single report, describing the event as 'the most destructive and widespread of the season.' The agency had issued a special advisory on Friday warning of increased avalanche danger, advising travelers to exercise extreme caution and make very selective terrain choices, as 'any mistakes could be deadly.'

  • The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued a special advisory on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • The advisory was set to expire at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • The dangerous avalanche conditions were expected to persist for longer than the advisory period.

The players

Colorado Avalanche Information Center

A state agency that provides avalanche forecasting and education to help ensure the safety of backcountry travelers in Colorado.

Bonita Peak

A mountain peak in the northern San Juan Mountains of Colorado where a skier and a snowboarder were caught in avalanches on Saturday.

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What’s next

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center's special advisory is set to expire on Sunday, but the agency warned that the dangerous avalanche conditions could persist for longer than that.

The takeaway

The widespread avalanche activity in Colorado's mountains underscores the importance of heeding safety warnings and exercising extreme caution when venturing into the backcountry during periods of heightened avalanche risk. Backcountry explorers must be vigilant and make very selective terrain choices to avoid potentially deadly consequences.