We’re starting to narrow down the persistent weak layer. Right now, the Wasatch snowpack is showing a tale of two conditions. The very poor snowpack structure remains, especially in suspect areas like mid-elevations, shallower zones along the Park City ridgeline, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and any slope that’s a repeater.

In contrast, the Upper Cottonwoods have received significantly more snow and insulation, and many areas are trending toward stabilization. However, we dug a pit near the top of East Bowl on a true west aspect at 10,180' and found a surprisingly weak, shallow snowpack. This slope, which had no obvious ski tracks, is a repeater and serves as an indicator for some of the most suspect terrain. Near the ground, we found approximately 40 cm of well-developed, cupping facets. In our snowpit we got an ECTP19 down on the facets.

While I don’t think this weak structure is widespread across all west-facing aspects, it’s a red flag for upper-elevation west-facing slopes that may have previously avalanched or are holding weaker, shallower snowpacks. The challenge is distinguishing zones with deeper, healing snowpack from those with these isolated weaker pockets. I wouldn't drop into East Bowl today.