Polar good, solar bad

Good riding on North aspects, crusty and challenging on south aspects. We skied below 1800m today in sheltered north facing treed shoulders. 5 cm solar crust on south aspects, and transitioning to a breakable 5-10cm wind skin above 1800m on all exposed aspects. Some sheltered chutes above 1800m may still hold good snow. Skiing quality improved the further north we moved in the range. Height of storm averaged 60cm and was unreactive to skis, produced uneven break results in ect, ct, and hand shears. A mid storm interface was also noted 15cm down that also produced similar uneven break results in ect, ct and hand shears. The PWL is down ~115cm at 1800m and produced no results with ect/ct tests, however continues to give a sudden clean failure when pulling on a column or hand shear. Temps stayed below freezing above 1300m, and a cool light to moderate breeze was present all day.