Yellowstone Ski Tours

Noted some point release avalanche activity on the east aspect of Crown Butte (from the last 24 hrs.). Not much wind effect overall.

Overall, very little wind effect with the new snow. However, on SW Meridian, we were able to ski cut some 15 cm deep soft slabs, over a harder m/f crust, which were more sensitive/ running short distances. Also, some small wet loose activity was noted on the steep solar aspects around 2pm, with greenhouse warming and calm winds.

Skied phenomenal. So signs of instability.

Had my ECT propagate with an extra 10 taps from the shoulder. Fairly solid bridge there, but definitely weak snow near the ground.

Sort of ridiculous how little that snow has settled.! Did note though, that the ridgeline just above the pit location was dramatically wind affected (from west winds), which probably had something to do with the XL natural avalanche on the nearby Fin. (Also checked my notes from Jan. 4th, which reported widespread surface hoar in this area. Could be the culprit).

Surface snow: was slightly winded in places (westerly wind), also found quite a bit of surface hoar up to 10,000' +, as well as some thin sun crusts developing on the solar slopes up to 9500'.