Some good, some bad. A tale of two surfaces

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Powder

We rode:

• Open trees

We stayed away from:

• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Stormy

Avalanche conditions

• 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.
• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Skied east aspect from 1700 to 2100m. Snow stability was very poor lower down in trees, with easily triggered large 30cm storm slab on the Jan crust on steeper slopes we explored. Hoar frost was probably better preserved in this terrain prior to the storm.

Interestingly, stability improved slightly at treeline. The crust layer still exists but likely with less hoar frost due to more exposure at higher elevation. Sluffs were smaller, ran slower, and were a bit more stubborn.