auto: Quick Report

Poked around a bit on Cornice Ridge and encountered an obvious 2-5mm thick, pencil hard ice layer (zipper crust) at or close to the surface depending tree cover, and on all solar aspects. In sheltered spots the crust was overlaid by a surface hoar layer to 10mm that may be preserved by the light snow that fell last night and parts of today. In windward areas the crust was scoured and exposed at the surface. A hasty pit dug at 1910m on a sheltered, 20 degree south facing slope resulted in a number of reactive layers at 10cm, 30cm, 45cm and 50cm, which all failed resistant planar at CT5, 13, 18 and 23, respectively. I measured a 155cm total snow depth. Ski pen was 15-20cm, and boot pen to 45cm. Skiing wasn't bad once you stomped your turns and got into the softer snow. Wx was -10C most of the day, light westerlies, some sunny breaks in the morning with the fog and clouds rolling in and bringing light snow and low viz around 2pm. Happy new year everyone, play safe out there!