Observation: Beaver Envy

Dust on (variable, breakable) crust. Variable surface conditions as expected. New snow was only a trace in most areas with some areas of up to 1" in isolated, higher elevation, and blown in areas. New snow was not enough to improve conditions and, when paired with the cold temps, might have made ski conditions worse. The only soft snow I could find was on the north side of trees in very protected areas. The ski out was character building. I employed ski crampons today as the old, rock hard skin track was very slippery with a trace of new, cold snow on it. I think it would be isolated, but I am curious to see if some of this new wind blown snow might preserve any of the surface hoar or PWL layers that are currently widespread, specifically on East and Southeast aspects at upper mid and upper elevations.