Colorado DOT trigger series of avalanches in safety measure | USA TODAY

Department of Transportation workers in Colorado triggered a series of avalanches as part of their efforts to open the road for the season.

By setting off avalanches while the road remained closed for the winter, workers hoped to prevent unexpected slides later that could trap drivers once the road opens around Memorial Day.

Crews like this one are working across the West to open high-elevation roads and mountain passes following an extraordinarily snowy year. While most East Coast residents had a warm winter, Colorado, California, Utah and other western states saw heavy snowfall that tallied in some places more than 70 feet over the course of the season.