Front Range
SnowpackIan Fowler · Dec 26, 2021 · Front Range
Weather
It was a blustery day at Hidden Valley. It was lightly snowing when we left the car. Right around 1.15pm the wind really started to pick up as did the snowfall intensity.
Snowpack
Below treeline the snow depth was 60 to 100cm deep with 30cm of fresh snow over a firm slab above a very weak layer of basal facets. We experienced localized cracking around skis in the new snow and multiple large collapses. These diminished as we approached treeline. Near treeline the snow had a similar structure but was 120 to 140cm deep and had 40cm of new snow. The snowpack in this area of the Front Range seems a lot deeper than areas to the south.