Rather interesting to see how snow totals were distributed. Mid-BCC fared ok and it made for easy travel with stellar ski conditions in the light-density snow. Dug several quick puts in Butler Trees in mid-BCC between 8000'-9000' and was finding great spatial variability in the rime crust buried underneath about 30 cms (1') of new snow. Was not finding any consistency with respect to aspect or elevation (i.e. I would find it on a certain aspect at a certain elevation, but 300' higher on the same aspect I could not find it.)

Where I was finding the rime crust its thickness ranged from 1-15 mm (very thin to about .5") Facets underneath the crust were preserved and I was finding the thickness of the faceted layer ranging from 5-15 cms (2-6")

Overall there was not enough new snow and/or wind loading to affect the faceted layer underneath the rime crust. No collapsing despite jumping around on slopes where I was finding the buried rime crust.

With this storm seeming to affect mostly lower to mid elevations (where thinner snowpacks as well as the New Years faceted snow exists), on Saturday I would be concerned about deep new snow sitting atop weaker snow - especially at mid-elevations outside the Cottonwoods - as well as wind affected snow in the upper elevations. I think with some thought as well as a little probing in the snowpack, Saturday has the potential to be a day of safe & superb powder skiing.