a mix of surface conditions- a loosening recrystallized surface in sheltered, shady terrain interspersed with areas of exposed 11 Jan rime crust along with areas of rough wind pressed slab in exposed areas. The solar zones softened a bit from midday but seemed to need just the right aspect (S- SW) to loosen to the point of instability ( and this only a superficial moistening of snow above the 11 Jan rime crust) snow below the crust remained cold and dry. Good recrystallized "louder powder" skiing in low angle shady zones with solar slopes providing decent "shmowder" turns- don't really feel like we're seeing enough of a thaw for a corn cycle before Thursday's brush by.