Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Tim Brown · Jan 29, 2013 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Alternating periods of broken skies and bright sunshine with periods of moderate snowfall, stronger winds and thicker cloud cover

Snowpack

Variable snowpack with one constant - weak snow near the ground. HS generally 100+cm, PF varied from 0 to full depth. Storm slabs (~20cm thick) were not very reactive in wind-protected areas, but wind slabs (~30cm thick) were. Despite the "frosted" appearance of many peaks, winds have been strong enough to move snow over the last few days. We found subtle soft slabs on many slopes near and above treeline.