Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Today myself and four others skied Iceberg Trees. We found conditions that were consistent with the forecast. We left the parking lot around 9:30 and enjoyed steady moderate snowfall throughout the day. Winds were swirling and gusting up 30 mph. On our skin in we experienced some cracking and found lots of evidence of past and active wind loading. In multiple hand shear tests on multiple aspects/elevations we found a fist to four finger hard slab that slid on the melt/freeze crust with easy effort. In areas with more wind affect, this slab was more cohesive and anywhere from 6” to 18” thick. Skiing conditions were truly lovely in iceberg trees!

On our ski back to the parking lot around 3, the rate of snowfall was increasing. We easily knocked about 18” thick wind slab off of a couple small rollovers.

Overall, riding conditions were pretty darn good. The lake is still not frozen and the boulder field needs some more snow, but it was nice to welcome in winter!