Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

I traveled on mostly west aspects today. Near and below treeline a hard crust sits underneath about 12 inches of storm snow. The storm snow would crack around ski turns (see picture) but showed no signs of any larger propagation potential. Westerly aspects above treeline have a thin and weak snowpack. The snow depth is about 2 feet. ECTP11 results on facets near the ground. A medium-strength crust (supportable to skis but not foot) exists midpack, therefore it would take a large load to affect the basal weak layer.---The wind was calm for most of the day below treeline. At around noon, the wind above treeline became very strong and intense wind-loading onto easterly aspects ensued. Hard slabs of wind-drifted snow will be present on above-treeline easterly slopes on Thursday.