Rapid Wind Loading in Zymacord

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Powder
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Alpine slopes
• Mellow slopes
• Open trees
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Cloudy
• Windy

Overall good skiing today out there today and didn't get above freezing. The Zymacord area was wind affected but relatively soft and unreactive down to about 1150m. Below there, the snow quality improved dramatically, but high winds were rapidly transporting the softer, previously sheltered snow and forming reactive slabs. We kicked off a small wind slab before the next steep pitch and decided to head back uphill. Strangely enough, ridgetop winds were much milder than down low in the Zymacord.

Southwest terrain skied nicely, not too scoured and no signs of instability. Due south seems to have a crust now from Thursday's warm temps and sun.

Temp -3.5C at 1pm, 1350m.