Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Two ski patrollers dug a snowpit on the far skier's left side of Wildwood Bowl. The aspect was just E of SE. Clouds were intermittent but the sun that did shine impacted the snow surface significantly. The upper 10-15 cm of recent storm snow was beginning moisten, pinwheels and rollerballs were observed coming off of skis at 1100.  The 01/12 rain crust is stout and supportive to the weight of a skier. However, below the rain crust is a layer of buried surface hoar that indicated moderately easy failures in pit tests.  Below the buried SH the mid pack on this aspect is between 4F and 1F hardness. The lower pack is a mixed bag on this solar aspect of crusts, facets, and depth hoar. The skiing feels bomber on the recent rain crust, but digging down into the snowpack tells a much different story.