Vail & Summit County
SnowpackAmanda Loughlin · Mar 15, 2025 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Overcast skies with light snowfall throughout the day, light to moderate northwest winds with active snow transport. Colder temps than earlier in the week.
Snowpack
I found melt freeze crusts underneath 2-4 inches of new snow below tree line. I was surprised to also find melt freeze crusts on northerly aspects around 11,000ft under 4-6 inches of new snow. Near tree line, I found a height of snow between 130-211cm with nearly 10 inches of new snow and wind drifted features. The first snow pit I dug on northeast aspect had a height of snow of 211cm with the 3/3 4F facet layer buried almost 30cm down. Extended column tests (ECTs) here produced cracking on 3/3-layer on 18th and 21st taps and propagation on the 25th tap. The second pit was on north facing aspect near tree line with a height of snow of 182cm. Here I found the 3/3-layer 22cm down where it produced cracking but not propagation in ECTs on my 22nd and 26th taps. The third snow pit was on northwest aspect near tree line with a height of snow of 156cm. The 3/3-layer was buried 29cm down and also produced only cracking on my 21st tap.