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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
12/20/2025
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridge Line
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Intermittent S-1 snowfall in the am. Westerly winds were Light with Moderate to Strong Gusts at the mid and upper elevations. The cloud cover helped to keep the temperatures from rising rapidly.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Exposed areas had scouring. Riding was much improved on the new dense snow, yet variable. There were areas that were "punchy" and weren't supportable allowing skis and snowboards to gouge into layers below this weeks grauple event.

Of Note: Rain/Snow Line was 8100' and over 0.65" water fell in the form of rain at 8000'.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Still getting Isolated areas with collapsing. Structure appeared to be more Reactive than a week ago in Snow Pit Tests performed in the same area. Last week ECT's were not getting any signs of a propensity for propagation. Today results were as follows: Scott's Back Door Vicinity, 11:00, WNW, 9270, 20 degrees, HS: 55cm, Multiple CTM SC's, ECTP 14 and 11, all 50cm down on Basal Crust. HS last week in same location was 38cm. Mid pack facets directly under 1cm m/f crust, 25cm down yielded CTM SC. Stability difference appeared to be associated with this past weeks additional 8" of new dense snow and the SWE of at least 1.5". This additional weight and density also appeared to contribute to making the overlying slab in this location to be more cohesive. Obviously the spatial variability over all in our snowpack is quite wide and different from location to location.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Poor Structure and P Slab issues appear to be mostly unreactive and or stubborn at this point in time. Yet see above for areas where the structure continues to raise Red Flags.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

No Wind Slab development observed in areas traveled. Yet with the new snow and winds it is Possible that there were Isolated pockets of Reactive Wind Slab in other locations at mid and upper exposed elevations and it appears that the the westerly and southwesterly winds will remain active for the next forecast period.

Finally, Wet Avalanche issues continue to be Possible in the lower elevations that received at least 0.50" of water over the past 12 hours. The snowpack at these lower elevations was already Isothermal and wet.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates