EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) – Both directions of Interstate 70 closed on either side of Vail Pass Thursday morning, from milemarker 184 to 190, for urgent avalanche reduction work.
The large amount of new snow has led to concern for avalanches in the area. Vail and Copper Mountain on either side of the pass have reported 17 inches over three days, and it’s still coming down.
The Avalanche Information Center says an avalanche could easily be triggered in these conditions. Areas most at risk are those of recently wind-loaded slopes above treeline.
An avalanche Wednesday near Vail broke four to five feet deep, and spread 500 feet wide. Another occurred on the Front Range triggered by a skier near Berthoud Pass
The pass was reopened shortly before 11 a.m.
(credit: CDOT)
0.2 miles west of Vail Pass Summit (credit: CDOT)
