Variable, but thin

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

By Lisa Van Sciver

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Last year during this week, epic slides occurred bringing the severity of an avalanche into reality. This year, the sugary snowpack is thin, really thin. Ski patrollers shovel snow from the forests onto the trails to cover rocks, snowmakers work hard to compensate for our snowless situation, and Santa accidently switched our Christmas gift with Nebraska’s. Despite the grim conditions, Jackson locals are still making the best of it by skiing.

During the early season, the ski area’s white strips seemed to be the best option for making turns, now the backcountry holds the best snow. Above 8,000 feet, two feet to four feet of snow covers the mountains. The snowpack consists of a slab upon a weak base layer of faceted snow crystals. Last week’s mild December temperatures helped settle the snow, but it also caused a variety of surfaces. Sunny aspects formed a crust, and shady aspects hold good snow for skiing as long as the ground is rock free, which is not so common around here. On many aspects sizable surface hoar is growing, making a possible future hazard. Between 8,000 feet and 9,500 feet, the snow is still collapsing and whumping. On all aspects avalanches triggered by skiers have been reported.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Rendezvous Bowl has a 37-inch base and less than 50 percent of the mountain open. Grand Targhee has 42 inches at the base and 74 percent of their terrain open. Snow King is limited to two trails.
 

PERMALINK:
Variable, but thin | Planet JH News Article: Snow Report Column

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