Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date

12/20/2025

Observer Name

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

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

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

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