So, what kind of snow is the very best to ski or journey on? That is considerably of a loaded query; on the finish of the day, it comes down to non-public choice. Many areas repeatedly expertise the complete spectrum of snow consistencies all through the course of a winter season. Snow situations can change from each day, and even hour to hour with atmospheric modifications. From powder to groomed, and from slush to ice, snowboarding is one thing to be loved.
“Ski the snow on the bottom, not the date on the calendar.”
— Glen Plake, Skilled Skier
Powder Snow
Powder snow is a particular crowd-pleaser, and may make a tough crash much less detrimental. The consistency of Powder Snow relies on the quantity of moisture content material throughout the snow when it falls. The methodology used to measure this content material known as the “Snow Water Equal,” additionally known as the “SWE.” Dry powder snow is usually present in continental mountainous areas however can happen elsewhere, given the fitting atmospheric situations. One of these snow has a SWE of round 10% or much less water whereas the remaining can be air. Dry snow has a more durable time bonding to obstacles like rocks and even itself, giving it a really unconsolidated really feel, fascinating by many. Heavy powder, generally present in coastal mountainous areas can have round 20% SWE or much more at instances. Heavy moist snow bonds nicely to different surfaces like rocks and stumps, turning any terrain function right into a rideable object.
Typically falling snow can change water content material mid-storm cycle, altering consistency additional. A “right-side-up” snowfall begins out falling with a excessive SWE and steadily turns drier because it finishes. This ends in gentle fluffy powder on the highest of the snow floor, with strong compacted snow beneath. This supplies a very good base for edges to navigate under whereas sustaining a powdery really feel up prime. These storms are particularly useful when it It has been a while for the reason that final contemporary snowfall. This may naturally heal a snow interface which will have iced over or uncovered obstacles like rocks rising from the snowpack. An “upside-down” snowfall is simply the other of the aforementioned phenomenon. These storms start chilly and dry, ending wetter and leaving the snowfall feeling extra consolidated on prime.
Groomed Snow
This machine-sculpted floor refers to a ski run that has been compacted and milled by a Snowcat’s tiller. Groomed snow is a favourite amongst many as it’s constant and nice for making managed turns. Grooming not solely produces a constant floor but in addition preserves the snow from quickly melting by photo voltaic radiation. The consistency of groomed runs can range relying on ambient temperature and solar publicity, amongst different elements. How not too long ago the final snowfall occurred can certainly have a major impact on the texture of the snow interface.
Packed Powder
This time period refers to a current snowfall that has been compacted and groomed flat, giving it a gentle but agency really feel underfoot. One of these snow is nice for making deep turns and nonetheless feels gentle underneath a ski’s edge. Packed powder can keep gentle for days given a chilly ambient temperature or constant cloud cowl. This gentle snow interface is taken into account the “Bee’s Knees” when navigating a brand new mountain and getting a lay of the land.
Machine groomed
This time period refers to snow days after it was “Packed Powder” and has been groomed a number of instances for the reason that final snowfall. One of these snow constitutes a big majority of many ski seasons however continues to be very pleasing to navigate from run to run. Ski racers favor a machine-groomed floor as it’s a pleased medium offering little friction to facilitate excessive speeds but in a position to be carved nicely by the sharp fringe of a ski.
Arduous Pack/Ice
Arduous pack refers to snow that has gone a substantial time with out contemporary snowfall and has been compacted repeatedly by skier visitors. Usually instances laborious pack has seen intense solar publicity and will have melted on the floor solely to refreeze in a single day. Arduous-pack snow is extremely quick because it supplies little friction in opposition to the underside of 1’s skis, fascinating to hurry demons who get pleasure from risking life and limb to achieve breakneck speeds. “Mud on Crust” occurs when chilly dry snow falls atop a agency and quick icy floor, inflicting you to really feel each bump and is tough on the knees.
Corn Snow/Slush
Present process repeated freeze-thaw cycles, snow crystals start to alter structurally. Late within the ski season, when temperatures spend extra time within the thawing vary and fewer time within the freezing state, “Corn Snow” happens. This phenomenon grows the crystals via repeated freezing and thawing till reaching roughly the scale of corn kernels. Corn snow might be enjoyable to ski when it’s heat out, turning to slush, however early within the morning can resemble a tough icy floor that’s laborious to edge on. Even a snowcat has a tough time chewing this as much as produce a pleasant snowboarding floor.
It doesn’t matter what kind of snow is being skied, any day on skis beats a day at work. Whether or not it’s blasting via bottomless blower pow, or carving deep GS activates machine-groomed snow underneath bluebird skies, sliding on snow is simply downright superior. Even the iciest hardpack will soften up should you let the solar penetrate via, to rework it into excellent corn snow. Sharpen these edges and apply some wax, it’s an incredible day for an incredible day on snow.
