A test pit was dug at 6650 ft on a north aspect on a 30 degree slope to assess current snow cover conditions and any potential avalanche concerns on Big Mountain at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The test pit snow depth was 77 cm and revealed several distinct layers. Snow cover surface showed signs of recent wind events out of the north, but little to no slab formation. The top 26 cm of the snowpack was comprised largely of decomposing and fragmented particles, which appear to be moving toward facets. The snow grain particles in this layer were very small (.5 mm) and F hardness. A 3 cm thick ice crust was the lower boundary of this layer (48-51 cm), likely formed in Mid November freezing rain event. Below this ice crust, facets dominate the snowpack for the next 30 cm with snow grains 1-2 mm. The bottom 20 cm to the ground is comprised of larger facets loosely bonded in ice or melt freeze crusts that appear to be decomposing.
