Observation: Big Meadow

Observation Date

2/12/2026

Observer Name

Kobernik/Kendall

Region

Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Left Fork Huntington Canyon » Lake Canyon » Big Meadow

Location Name or Route

Big Meadow

Weather

Sky

Broken

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Cloudy with periods of filtered sun.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

High

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

5 to 8" of new snow. The new snow was dense and damp at least up to 10,000'. The new damp dense snow felt like a storm in May. Not powder but still quite good riding compared to what we've had recently.

Red Flags

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

We experienced a couple of fairly large collapses.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #1 Comments

All the facets that have been forming during the month long dry spell instantly showed their cards with the addition of the new dense slab. We experienced collapsing and also had poor snowpit test results: ECTP1 The column fully propagated when I barely touched it. It involved the new snow directly above VERY weak facets.

This area is an example of the weakest snowpack structure that is out there right now. Other areas have varying sun and wind crusts on top of the facets with new snow on top of that. These areas are going to need more of a load before they become reactive.

Snow Profile

Comments

While the new snow was not high quality powder, it still provided fun ski conditions. It was good enough that we ran a number of laps.

After getting back to the truck I noted that the dense damp snow had packed into the track just like it does with springtime storms.

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