Lack of wind and loose snow sluffing

Toured in the northern Swan Range to look for wind slab formation.

• Approx 4" of new, low-density snow fell yesterday and overnight
• Approx 10-12" of new snow since Saturday
• No evidence of widespread wind slab formation on north to east aspects
• Windward slopes (south and southwest) had a thin wind-stiffened surface that was supportable to the weight of a skier
• No cracking or collapsing while skinning or skiing
• Skiing on steeper slopes (greater than 38 degrees) produced loose dry sluffing that was easy to manage