We decided to check out the conditions on the east bench above Smithfield on Monday. Although the snow was only 16-18 inches deep, we found decent turning conditions. The snowpack is completely faceted on all aspects with this latest round of cold weather so it feels like you are making turns in sugar. When we get another storm we will have to be very careful on steep aspects because there is no strength to the snowpack. The highest we made it was 6500 feet, not sure how high you would have to go to find a deeper snowpack.

There are a few sensitive wind drifts along ridges but for the most part they are shallow and don’t pose a real threat. There was some evidence of natural avalanche activity during last week’s storm but no recent activity.