Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

We skied in the TJ Bowl area today, leaving the car mid day with a dusting of snow in areas in town and moderate winds. As we ascended the winds picked up, with varying directions, though predominantly coming out of the SW. At 9500’ snow depth was consistently 15-20 cm in depth. While skinning the rotten nature of the snowpack was quite apparent, breaking through a slight 1F-P hard melt freeze crust, we found ourselves wallowing in deep facets. Over the course of our tour the snow intensity picked up and was heavy at times, as were the winds. Substantial win transport was observed and on the slog out many spots of grooming and been scoured down, while more protected spots held 20+ cms of new snow. The skiing quality was great on our way down, if you hunted for the steepest rolls on the right aspect you could trigger small pockets of soft slab, and it appeared that the wind was beginning to create slabs as the snow surface began to stiffen in many spots.

Signs of Unstable Snow