Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date

2/10/2024

Observer Name

Paradis / Brackelsberg / Kelly

Region

Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline

Location Name or Route

Park City Ridgeline

Weather

Sky

Clear

Weather Comments

Clear and cold in the morning, with increasing clouds and light snow showers by the afternoon. Not much wind. Pleasant conditions.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

12"

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Great snow conditions but difficult trail breaking. Snow was generally not wind affected on most aspects traveled (W,NW). Southerly aspects received sun and could potentially have a slight crust tomorrow. Snow surface was already weakening with up to 4mm surface hoar in some spots.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Perhaps 2-3' of settled new snow with PWL still there. Steeper runs were skied by other parties during the day without any results.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

New snow easily sluffing in steeper terrain. We observed two relatively small natural loose snow slides on Murdock. See photos below. The other one was a bit larger and ran from the top.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

We didn't dig and look at it but it is still there. Gobblers avalanche today is good verification that it is still a factor, particularly in thinner snowpack areas.

Today we looked at evidence of an avalanche from the mid-January storm cycle that ran full track. This slide took out some trees and flagged others, opening up the skiing a little bit. We haven't seen this path run this far previously.

In this path, there is a long relatively low angle run out which makes it seems like you might be out of the way but this avalanche demonstrates otherwise. Some of the damage to trees is the result of the avalanche air blast.

Photo 1: avalanche run out

Photo 2: start zone

Photo 3: snow on uphill side and recently broken branches well up the tree

Photo 4: snow on uphill side of trees

Photo 5: tree pushed well into the meadow