Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
What and where is it:The most likely place to find a new wind slab is on steep, easterly slopes that are highly protected from the wind. New wind slabs could be up to 12 inches thick in the most sheltered areas and could be sensitive to your weight.
How can you recognize it: New wind slabs will appear white, smooth, and soft, compared to the gray, hard, and icy old snow surface. Moving through snow drifts more than a few inches thick may mean you have found a wind slab. Use your hand, a ski pole, or a shovel to dig down to the hard crust and assess the sensitivity of a new wind slab. Watch for blowing snow at the ridgelines as a sign that wind slabs are continuing to form.How can you manage it:Be skeptical of areas of deeper, softer snow. Traveling on the hard, old snow surface can help mitigate the risk of triggering a wind slab, but will require crampons and an ice ax to prevent a dangerous fall in steep terrain.