FRISCO, Colo. (CBS4/AP) – The dry winter so far could mean increased avalanche danger in Summit County this spring.

A weak base layer has been topped with more snow than last season, which 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.

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

LINK: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

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