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Observation: Alta Ski Area

Observation Date
11/9/2013
Observer Name
Justin Lozier
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Sugar Pass - Alta Ski Area
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface is highly variable, from wind textured loose powder and stiff windboard in the upper elevations to bullet-proof melt freeze crust and rain crust in the lowers. The supportable MFC skied like corn later in the day with the warm temps.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Punchy and hollow over a bed of large faceted crystals. A myriad of crusts, wind loading and storm snow on top of weak October facets.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The buried October facets are the biggest red flag in the snowpack at the moment.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
Early season snowpack inspection of a higher elevation wind loaded NE slope.
Coordinates

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