Observation: Monte Cristo

Observation Date

2/20/2026

Observer Name

Kaufmann

Region

Ogden » Monte Cristo

Location Name or Route

Monte - Arbs

Weather

Sky

Broken

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Overcast skies gave way to scattered low clouds with patches of sunshine by the afternoon and evening. Temps were frigid in the morning, but warmed for a pleasant ride out of the zone, reaching 29F at 4pm on return to the trailhead (7200'). Winds, lighter in the morning increased to moderate gusting strong in the afternoon. These winds kept most surfaces cool, though more sheltered, sunny locations received enough solar radiation to change the density of the surface snow from the last storm (F to F+). Snow fell throughout the morning (S1) but did not accumulate a ton, maybe 1-2" for the day.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristics Comments

Surfaces provided generally favorable riding conditions via both machine and ski. The previous storm was elevation dependent and predictable, this most recent storm was the opposite. Winds have been blowing in a few directions through the past few days and finding consistent, large patches of homogenous surface snow is harder than last week, even in more sheltered locations.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Low density surface snow that had stayed cool since the storm is being transported readily onto lee terrain, especially in the expected locations along ridgelines (9000'). Obvious poor structure is Specific to Widespread. See 2/19/2026 ob. from Davis "Hand Hardness Photo" for a great visual. My machine and I found plenty of evidence of this snowpack setup throughout the day, "trap dooring" at low speeds and chewing on really weak snow below the most recent crust. On one such occasion I found a stump that had facilitated some more mature crystal formation... The snowpack is thin and is reacting as such in many locations of this zone.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Comments

P1: Morning Wx and Snow Obs.

P2: Morning riding conditions

P3: Afternoon Wx and Snow Obs.

P4: Surface conditions via ski