Observation: Cardiff Fork

East through north aspects in Cardiff have 6"-8" of fine settled powder at the surface with 4"-8" of 4F to F hard 4mm facets below. This combination makes the new snow feel deeper than it is and the skiing excellent. Other than some very small DL-N's in the steepest terrain, no other signs of instability were noted. That is, except for the poor structure near the surface. The photo below is representative of most mid elevation, sheltered terrain on the shady side of the compass. In this location the new snow was not consolidated and deep enough to be a slab but the thick weak layer of facets below is plenty weak enough to be a concern with the next significant load. If March comes roaring in like a lion areas with this structure will be off limits. With a slight change in aspect toward the sun, E facing slopes have a fragile sun crust between the facets and new snow and SE facing slopes have a full on, supportable sun crust as a slick bed surface with 4"-6" of new on top.