Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Below treeline (BTL) was thin, and ski poles easily punched all the way to the ground. On southerly aspects BTL, the snow was wet from top to bottom, and by 1pm, when we were leaving, ski penetration was to the ground in some areas. Near treeline (NTL) on an easterly and southeasterly aspect I got moderate propagating results in Extended Column Test. Although the slab feels tired and full of facets it is hard to overlook these test results and launch into steeper terrain. When descending on an easterly slope on foot, boot penetration varied from 0cm to the ground. If you trigger a slab in this area it would likely gouge deeply into weak snow. Above treeline the snow is very wind hammered. Large sastrugi was present on some southerly aspects and others had a very shinny suncrust surface. Northerly aspects looked very wind-buffed and firm.