A slab avalanche of relatively soft, low density snow.

Credit: Crested Butte Avalanche Center

These slabs are soft and low density enough (generally less than 300 kg/m³) that you can push a gloved hand or fingers into them. They are often characterized by soft, powdery debris. Soft slabs can vary in thickness, and most often form in the upper snowpack from recent storm events.  Although soft slabs tend to give more feedback than hard slabs, they can still be triggered remotely or from below the fracture line, depending on conditions.  

Soft slab avalanche debris. Credit: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

A soft slab avalanche. Credit: Sawtooth Avalanche Center