Yellowstone Ski Tours

One collapse experienced at about 7500' on the approach. Winds were blustery and moving snow about the upper elevation ridgelines today, but light in the mid elevations. Also noted some small natural loose snow avalanches on steep northerly facing terrain (from the last 36 hrs.).

Pit location was about the elevation where the surface wind effect decreased, and the skiing became good. Though the skiing was found to be punchy/ thinner/ rocky in locations below also.

Snowpit location is partially sheltered by whitebark pine from both the sun and the wind. 200' vertical higher, and the wind effect/ avalanche hazard was more substantial. Observed one recent slab avalanche on an adjacent NW facing slope (a windslab about 8" deep and 20' wide).

Turned around just above the snowpit (9,900') due to fresh, reactive wind slabs 10-15cms deep, which were cracking, and becoming more connected/ widespread.

Winds this morning were gusting into the 50mph range, from the SW (at the Lulu Pass wx station), and affected many exposed slopes, even in the lower elevations.

Thinner snowpack around this general area than expected. Facet gardens in areas around rocks. (The SE aspect of Mt. Republic was very thin/ rocky also)