Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Mike De Sena · Jan 20, 2011 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Clear and crisp morning with intense gusting winds. Large spindrifts off upper peaks and snow vortexes traveling down valley. Beautiful clear weather

Snowpack

I estimate around 30" of fresh snow had fallen in the area of Francies. Much of it was transported by winds onto the lower slopes where deep, soft and good riding conditions were found. Above treeline snow was heavily wind affected and anywhere from supportive feeling wind slab, sastrugi, to deep pockets of powder. Lots of spatial variability. Only cracking observed was on the very fresh surface wind slabs as my partner broke trail.