Surface Hoar Museum

Rode in northern Whitefish Range checking on the Lingering Persistent Slab problem and current surface conditions

• 1/17 buried surface hoar present and accounted for. Propagated in tests, apparent in hand pits on numerous aspects, including south above a crust. largest, best preserved crystals I've seen. Consistently visible as distinct stripe 10-16" below surface.
• 1 small snowmobile triggered slab on this layer from past several days, on mid-elevation cutbank above road.
• Numerous older natural slabs on steep creek walls. Large relative to the slopes - almost continuous crowns for 200+ feet.
• No results with a ski cut; no collapsing or cracking while stomping on cutbanks.
• Found little surface hoar on current snow surface
• Only a few gusts of wind in valley