Quick report
Overall great riding on more sheltered terrain, pretty much regardless of aspect. The top 400' near ridgelines is variable and scoured, especially on aspects facing west and south. There's some clear cornice development on ridgelines out towards Pickhandle and Crown, Overall the snowpack was much less reactive than anticipated. Dug a few hasty pits and did not get any results. Skied mostly low angle slopes but did end the day on a steeper chute and aside from some surface sluffing didn't get much to move.
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- 4000
- Recent Snowfall
- 6
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Mostly overcast. Strong winds until 11AM, after that much quieter. Off-and-on snow showers throughout the day. Approx 3-4 inches of accumulation throughout the morning/early afternoon.
Snowpack
5k' seems to be the elevation band where the density of snow and snowpack in general really has a step function. Below and the snowpack is mostly moist and dense. This morning there was a few inches of low density snow but for the most part it's bumpy and firm underneath with dense, moist snow. Above 5k' and things start to change fast. On windward aspects (primarily west) there's a firm crust down approx 1m. The top layer of snow from last night (12/28) is sitting on a more dense layer of storm snow from days prior (12/26). For the most part, the upper, lower density snow (12/28) is supportive and you don't sink beneath the heavier, moist layer (12/26). Throughout the day another 3-4 inches of lower density snow fell, adding to the top layer.