Aspen
AvalancheBrandon Levy · Dec 8, 2025 · Aspen
Snowpack
There is low snow on the ground, particularly below about 10000'. The snow depth at the road summit (35 cms) matches the depth at 9800' on the southwest-facing slopes leading up to Huntsmans Ridge from SH133. On the east and northeast-facing slopes at 10000' on the windward and shady side of the ridge, the snow depth ranged from 50 to 80 cms. The snowfall received prior to November 30 from small storms around the middle of November comprises the weak layer of faceted grains at the base of the current snowpack. This layer ranged from 20cms thick on northeast-facing slopes to 10cms thick on east-facing slopes. The mid-pack has consolidated with the dense snowfall received on December 6 and 7. The mid-pack is still soft though at four-finger minus and four finger hard on the hand-hardness scale. Extended column tests ranged in any given location from easy to moderate (e.g. ECTP4 and ECTP16 down 35 cms on 2-4mm FC grains). Ski penetration was 30cm while boot penetration was to the ground.
Avalanche
Steep north-facing slopes of Hayes Peak remained intact after the recent storm, and there were no avalanches observed in Bears Gulch.