Surprise Pass

Quick report

Weather

cold

Ride Type

alpineSlopes

Riding Quality

terrible

Snow Conditions

crusty

Field observation trip to Surprise Pass. Widespread surface hoar growing, especially at low elevations. Overall, the snowpack is quite shallow and weak, typically 100 cm deep and a ski pole easily pushes to the ground in sheltered areas. In alpine areas, 2-week-old wind effect has left a bulletproof layer in many areas that is now the Jan 30 layer, with about 10-15 cm of well-developed facets above. If we ever get snow again, the current surface layers will become a very spicy buried weak layer. The snowpack is weak but generally stable, except for isolated alpine slopes where a hard slab may be sitting on those facets. It was a beautiful day to be out, with mostly terrible skiing. The run itself is tracked out side-to-side and reminded us of a great run at a ski resort, until the lower third where some remnants of soft snow remain.