Incredibly Variable Snow Surfaces on Tamarack

Ascending up Tamarack yielded incredibly variable snow conditions. Generally speaking, east/southeast facing slopes were significantly sun-affected, but these same slopes were quite variable in how consolodated they were. In some areas, the snowpack was solid and supported my skis, but some areas along the same slope were unconsolodated and couldn't support my skis. In these areas, I was able to stick my pole deep in the snow without any difficulty. On north/northeast facing slopes, there were several areas of hard, unbreakable surface crusts. More well protected slopes yielded soft, sugary snow on the surface that made for decent ski conditions. While there was clearly a relation between snow surface conditions and slope orientation, snow surface varied significantly along the same slope depending on tree cover, slope angle, and other factors that I couldn't really identify.

These variable snow conditions will make for challenging skiing on Sunday after new snow. I saw many more exposed rocks and tree stumps than I did even last week. Up to 8 inches of dry, light snow will hide many sharks out there. Not to mention that the variable surface snow will make for difficult-to-read hazard when it comes to triggering any storm slabs that may form.