Northern San Juan

Quick report

Jeff Davis · Jan 26, 2026 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Moderate wind moving snow on some peaks but not all. Temperatures slowly increased during the day under sunny skies.

Snowpack

The new snow was blown around overnight. Found drifts well over 20 inches, but was only able to get cracking around my ski tips. Hand pits showed a thin, stiffer layer on the surface sitting over the cold, dry snow from the weekend. The deepest drifts and stiffest snow were just below ridgelines. The wind seemed to get to most aspects. The snow was still very light and fluffy, i.e., my idea of Cold Smoke, though I just learned that I might be using that term incorrectly.

Avalanche

Lots of small slabs and loose avalanches observed on north to northeast through south slopes with crown lines just below ridgelines.