Big Sky Ski Patrol

Nothing alarming. Pit was dug in deep area. Interface between old crusty snow at bottom and more recent snow is solid- now. Generally hard snowpack. The 4F layers mid pack might be the first to facet and get weak in the future.

ECTX in stability test. Deeper pack look pretty solid- not much evidence of faceting, good hardness. Upper pack has trapped low density layers among wind crusts that will be prone to faceting, and may become layers of concern in the future. Not reactive now, but could be if heavily loaded with storm snow.

Avalanche failed on 3mm striated facets above the October ice crust. thin coverage where the avalanche initiated in shallow snow near the ridge top with a crown hight of 30 to 60 cms deep fully entraining the snow throughout the path up to 1.5m possibly deeper to cone level. Damaged trees and rocks throughout the debris. HS/R4/D3.5/O

Pit near repeat deep slab avalanche from 12/8/16 and 2/26/17