Metal Dome

Quick report

Weather

sunny, cold

Ride Type

mellowSlopes, sunnySlopes, openTrees, alpineSlopes

Stayed Away

steepSlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

powder, crusty, hard, windAffected

Went up to Metal Dome to check out some early season ski conditions and hang out with a close friend. Conditions were generally fairly marginal on south facing aspects at all elevations, with BTL having below threshold conditions for both skiing and avalanche hazard. TL was okay in sheltered locations, but a thin trap crust is forming in sunny locations. ALP areas were very wind affected, with 20-30cms of wind pressed snow bridging a lot of obstacles above the ground. It is definitely still quite low coverage, so exercising caution and skiing slowly to reduce injury is most advised. The best skiing/riding conditions existed on shaded & sheltered ALP features on glaciers. 10-15cms of light, faceted new snow sits above a variety of surfaces. The snowpack depth is still quite shallow, so glacier conditions can be quite hazardous. We brought and would recommend bringing glacier gear and know how to use it. The Metal Dome glacier is generally non-complex glaciated terrain, with most crevasses fairly easy to navigate around and avoid with prior glacier experience. Feel free to get in touch with me about how to gain these skills and/or if you have any further questions about conditions: zachary.wentz@gmail.com

Weather

Wind Speed

windSpeedLight

Blowing Snow

none

Sky Condition

clear

Wind Direction

S

Temperature Trend

steady

Precipitation Type

none

Snowpack

Obs Type

summary

Site Aspect

NE, N, SE, S, SW

Site Elevation Band

btl, alp, tln

Surface Conditions

variable

Snowpack Summary Based on Elevation Band & Aspect: ALP on shaded & sheltered aspects: 10-15cms of faceted new snow (F hardness) sits atop snow gradually increasing in hardness with depth in sheltered locations. A MFcr exists down approx. 40cms, with a generally consolidated snowpack below. HS ranged from 60-80cms. Even in sheltered features, some variable wind affect was observed, with a 5-10cms wind pressed surface condition found in specific areas. ALP & TL on sunny aspects: Most high and mid elevation slopes on aspects that face the sun and/or are exposed to wind consist of a hard wind pressed, variable surface. 20-30cms of variable wind pressed snow sits above the ground, bridging a lot of ground hazards, though many are still apparent and require conservative skiing movement skills. In sheltered locations around TL, a thin sun crust (3cms) has formed on sunny aspects with faceted old snow below (F hardness) sitting above the ground. In sheltered & shaded locations at TL, the sun crust is not present, so the snowpack consists of 20-30cms of light faceted snow (F hardness) sitting above the ground. HS ranges between 20-40cms. BTL on all aspects: Total height of snow (HS) ranges from 0-30cms depending on tree canopy closure and exposure to sun (deepest snowpack is in shaded features in openings). Snowpack depth is below threshold for both avalanche hazard, as well as most skiing. Some skiing can be found on logging roads and previously compacted surfaces through the forest, though is marginal at best. Access and egress proved to be the most challenging portions of the day.