Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date

1/7/2026

Observer Name

Weston D

Region

Uintas » Whitney Basin

Location Name or Route

Whitney Basin

Weather

Weather Comments

Day started off with some sun and gradually became cloudier and some flakes by end of day.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Faceted Loose

Snow Characteristics Comments

Stunningly beautiful surface hoar and facets. The surface hoar would roll like a wave in front of your skis. Usually you cant hear facets on a snowmobile but today you could.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

We observed a few old avalanches today but only in extreme terrain. We had multiple collapses on us today while traveling. Where the snow pack was shallower or there was a trigger point was when we got the largest collapses.

Comments

Riding depths varied greatly but overall travel was quite good. HS in our pit was 170cm on a NE @ 10,150. We got an ECTN however post test we were able to pry out a large block where it failed on the CERC. The crust was less pronounced at this elevation but it was still preserving some small grain facets. Even as we rode to the pit we had a large collapse triggered near a tree when a rider traveled near it.

Note the large surface hoar and exceptional depth in the pit.

Wind and the extreme terrain pulled out a few pockets that were noteworthy.

Observation: Whitney Basin

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