Steamboat & Flat Tops

Snowpack

Steamboat Sidecountry Gate 2 10,300ft: SW Winds strongly loading SE thru NE slopes near and below treeline with high water content snow. Rain line at approx. 9000ft. On traversing in-bound, 30 degree SE slopes to get to gate 2, small fresh wind slabs were easily triggered, running on late week rain/wind crust. On NE facing slopes (way rights) off ridge, the week's snow has accumulated to 20-30in dense, soft slabs. These slabs were cracking easily on safe, 28 degree test slope. Skied opposing, SW 20-25 degree slopes and experienced only slight collapsing. Steamboat Sidecountry Gate 4 10,000ft: Stepped 10 feet out of the gate onto untracked (for the season?) 15 degree, NE test slope, two light jumps and experienced audible whoomph and visible shooting cracks 10-15ft. Not sure, but may have remoted the 30 degree convex roll at he top of "third pitch", 75ft away. Didn't approach the roll to see.. stepped back in bounds and skied down, with light to moderate rain at 9000ft-ish