Wind effect in the Alpine; some good turns in the sheltered treeline

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Wind effect in the Alpine; some good turns in the sheltered treeline

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Powder
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Mellow slopes
  • Open trees
We stayed away from:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cold

Comments

Cold and clear at Hankin. Alpine is completely wind hammered - we didn't want to go there for stability and ski quality reasons.

Test pit on the cabin rolls just below the warming hut had 130-150 cm snowpack. We found a 3cm raincrust beneath 25cm of decent powder where it wasn't wind affected. No result on an extended column test... the raincrust seems to have locked things up at treeline and lower elevations.