Better than expected at Blue Lakes

Much better riding than expected today at Blue Lakes. Although previous tracks remained firm and numerous, untracked soft snow could still be found below treeline on both shady and sunny slopes without tight tree spacing. Looking above treeline at Polaris Bowl and Cole Bowl, snow surfaces appeared to be very wind scoured so I did not venture there.

On shady slopes and slopes receiving indirect sun, the January rain crust was very breakable with a thin layer of facets above, and a deeper layer of facets below. This structure provided the best riding conditions, though sunny slopes were soft enough to be enjoyable as well. Ski penetration was several inches deep, and boot penetration was almost 1ft deep. Large surface hoar was observed both intact and deteriorating in the sun.

Very warm temps had me digging a snow profile in my lightest layer, even though the aspect was NE. A nice day after so many cold and windy ones!

Pic 1: Decent ski penetration due to facets at the surface. The large, sugary grains in my hand were almost a foot deep in several places.

Pic 2: A shovel tilt with a clean, planar shear where weak facets interfaced with strong snow below. The January rain crust and adjacent facets had already slid off the top.

Pic 3: Previously wind scoured slopes above treeline.