Quick report
Mostly clear skies and persistent sunshine made a beautiful day to find protected northerly aspects. Though we could use a refresh, some of this month's good skiing persists in these areas. Suspected diurnal recrystalization has occurred this week, transforming last weekend's powder to sugary snow and surfy conditions on N and NW faces at and below treeline.
As we traversed around the compass, we found hugely various conditions. Southerlies have sun crust in some places, and in some places have been pretty well cleared of snow by wind and sun. High westerlies show signs of significant wind stripping. We saw no evidence of wind slabs at or below treeline. Our travels produced no collaping or any red flags of note. In some places, near-surface snow sloughed from ski tracks. This newly formed faceting layer warrants consideration when snow next falls.
Snowpack
Last weekend's new snow, unskied and unaffected by wind, has faceted somewhat in at and below treeline on N and NW aspects. 6 to 10 inches of rounded facets and uncohesive snow exist in some places. This suspected diurnal recrystalization near-surface faceting is likely the result of cool, clear nights and warm days. It made for decent skiing, though it's a little noisy and sugary. We observed no significant collapsing, and just a little sloughing in steep areas on the outside of a ski turn. This layer is to be watched when new snow accumulates.