Search for the Crust Line

Soumis par
northrockiesfieldteam
Date d'observation
vendredi 16 janvier 2026 à 18 h 00
Localisation
53.415320° N 119.888240° W
Rapport concernant
  • Conditions de neige
Carte pour le rapport du Réseau d'information en montagne: Search for the Crust Line

Conditions de neige

La qualité du hors-piste était:
OK
Les conditions de neige étaient :
  • Croûtée
  • Durcie
  • Affectée par le vent
Nous avons parcouru:
  • Pentes alpines
  • Pentes convexes
  • Pentes de faible inclinaison
  • Forêt dégagée
  • Pentes raides
  • Pentes ensoleillées

Information

La journée était:
  • Ensoleillée

Commentaires

We headed to Tommy Creek to see if we could get above the crust and have a look. We found the line where the crust gives way to wind packed snow at 2260 m. Getting above the crust doesn't seem to make the riding much better though. The best snow was between 1700 & 2200 m where the crust was thinner over soft snow making for easy travel.

We noticed at treeline and below, there is new surface hoar growing over the crust, It's still small, but it could be a future problem on the horizon. We will be keeping a close eye on where it is forming and squashing as much of it as we can until more snow finally comes. For now, it's just great views and go anywhere travel in the lowered hazard!

We found the line where the crust transitions to dry, wind affected snow at 2260 m. Unfortunately, this was only 20 m below the ridge top...
We found the line where the crust transitions to dry, wind affected snow at 2260 m. Unfortunately, this was only 20 m below the ridge top...
Even with Low Hazard at treeline, we stuck to best practices and spaced out while travelling on larger slopes.
Even with Low Hazard at treeline, we stuck to best practices and spaced out while travelling on larger slopes.
There were sparkling surface hoar crystals in the sheltered meadow around the weather station. We had to put up stakes to remind folks to please stay back 5 m from the station to not disturb the sensors.
There were sparkling surface hoar crystals in the sheltered meadow around the weather station. We had to put up stakes to remind folks to please stay back 5 m from the station to not disturb the sensors.
Above the crust the snow was firm and wind packed, but between 1700 & 2300 m the crust was thin enough for some ok riding.
Above the crust the snow was firm and wind packed, but between 1700 & 2300 m the crust was thin enough for some ok riding.