Photos

From obs: "Observed large surface hoar grains preserved 10 - 25cm below the new snow surface. Photo taken in the flats of goose creek outlines most prominent weak layer in the pack. I suspect these grains are larger than most because of increased sun exposure in the valley bottom during the dryspell. Pits on north facing aspects didn’t show such a pronounced weak layer but evidence still exists of buried surface hoar layer." Photo: J. Wenzel

We put up the Taylor Fork Weather station today. It measures wind direction and speed, RH, and temperature. Coupled with the Carrot Basin SNOTEL, this gives us a good idea on what is occurring in this range. Photo GNFAC

Light wind created soft drifts of new, low density snow near the ridgeline in the Bridger Range. This wind slab easily cracked when touched with skis, 20 feet along the ridge and 5-10 feet down, but didn't slide. This is a sign drifts will be unstable as they grow with more snow and wind. Photo: GNFAC

From IG post: "Weak and thin snowpack. A little sluff was all it took to entrain the whole season’s snowpack. S. Madison ~9000’ east facing" Photo: @vt.to.mt

From IG post: "Weak and thin snowpack. A little sluff was all it took to entrain the whole season’s snowpack. S. Madison ~9000’ east facing" Photo: @vt.to.mt

Large surface hoar crystals growing in the Upper Taylor Fork drainage on 12/9/20. 

Photo: E. Birkeland

Large feathers of crystal hoar were seen on localized, more shaded slopes during a ski tour of Pebble Creek. Photo: B. Fredlund

From obs.: "Observed widespread surface hoar large in size. Everywhere in shaded terrain in the daisy pass area today. Some grew to about 5mm size. Made for awesome riding conditions currently. Definitely a future issue to be heads up for." Photo: J. Wenzel

Obs from a skier in NW corner of Yellowstone NP: "Snowpack was 10-18” and all sugar / large facets. Surprisingly, on low angle meadow, making some turns turned-out to be pretty good. While faceted, there was a little denseness (word?) to the base. I suspect steeper terrain would be easier to hit the ground. All surfaces were covered with SH - as you would imagine." Photo: A. Crawford

We saw this small natural wind slab on the east side of Miller Ridge near Cooke City on Dec 4, 2020. Photo: GNFAC

We saw this small natural wind slab on the east side of Scotch Bonnet near Cooke City on Dec 4, 2020. Photo: GNFAC

This avalanche in Sluice Box at Bridger Bowl released mid morning on 12/3/2020. Crown estimated at 2 Feet. Photo: BBSP

A skier saw this avalanche get triggered at Bridger Bowl (Schlasmans Lift) this afternoon 12/2/2020. "...The toe of the slide was all of 6’ deep. There is about a foot of fresh sitting on top of faceted crust that is sitting on top of more facets and another crust,..." Photo: Anonymous

Dave Zinn finds a thin snowpack on the east side of Beehive/Bear Basin divide. It consists of weak, sugary grains of facets, a potential problem when it snows again. Photo: GNFAC

Dave Zinn looks at weak snow on our skin up the west side of Beehive Basin. We found mostly sugary, faceted snow that will become a problem when it gets loaded with snowfall. Photo: GNFAC

From obs (11/30/2020): "The sugary surface snow is running in loose dry sluffs on steep slopes and I set off a small avalanche coming through a steep section, not a big slide but enough to knock you off your feet if you’re not paying attention. It broke about 1’ deep, 15’ wide, and ran probably 30’ before stopping as the slope lessened in steepness."

Photo: J. Dalimata

The Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association put up the beacon checker at the Sage Creek parking lot which leads to Taylor Fork. Thanks GVSA! Photo: GVSA

The Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association put up the Beacon Checker at the Buck Ridge Trailhead. Don't forget to test and practice with your beacon! Photo: GVSA

This snowpit at Bridger Bowl was on a shaded ENE aspect at 7,800'. The lower two thirds are mostly sugary, weak facets with a hard crust in the middle. This weak snow is not the best foundation for the winter's snowpack. Photo: GNFAC

Under the Schlasman's chairlift at Bridger on November 29, 2020. Snow depth ranged from 3" to 18". Conditions were generally very shallow and rocky. Photo: GNFAC