What makes fresh snow "icy"?

[New Daddy]

I skied at Waterville Valley yesterday, and found icy patches quite frequently, although the overall snow quality was good packed powder. I couldn't reconcile the existence of frequent icy patches with the recent snowfall of over 8" at Waterville.

So, what made the fresh snow "icy"? I know it's not the thaw-freeze cycle, because I know for a fact that Waterville stayed under the freezing point the whole time after the snow. It wasn't the icy base prior to the snow that had been laid bare as the fresh snow was skied off, because when I poked the pole at the surface, it would go in a few inches, indicating the icy patch was probably part of the fresh snow.

Any possible explanations?

 

[powhunter]

Snowboarders

 

[BenedictGomez]

I imagine if you just had an 8 inch snowfall and encountered ice patches, you're likely talking about high volume/traffic areas that got scraped off. Were these spots mostly on greens and blue cruisers?

 

[Nick]

I'm guessing it's largely just compression of the snow from it being skied on. If you keep pressing it tighter and tighter, it becomes ici-er.

Although I do agree at some point it almost looks like the ice was always there and the top layer was just removed, "exposing" the ice.

 

[bdfreetuna]

Snowboarders

+1

Also skiers with bad form who plow the snow off the edge of the trail

 

[marcski]

Grooming.

 

[New Daddy]

I imagine if you just had an 8 inch snowfall and encountered ice patches, you're likely talking about high volume/traffic areas that got scraped off. Were these spots mostly on greens and blue cruisers?

Everywhere. Even on black diamonds as well.

 

[Cheese]

+1

Also skiers with bad form who plow the snow off the edge of the trail

Nah, the skiers with poor form only push the snow to the edge of the trail. It is the expert skiers who know where the snow gets pushed to that push the snow off the edge of the trail.
:beer:

 

[bdfreetuna]

Probably wind blew it off the trails too it was pretty windy following that last storm most of the snow didn't really stick to the base.

 

[bdfreetuna]

Nah, the skiers with poor form only push the snow to the edge of the trail. It is the expert skiers who know where the snow gets pushed to that push the snow off the edge of the trail.

:beer:

touche!

 

[Gnarcissaro]

The new snow was super light a fluffy, and fell on top of ice. Was at Sunday River on Friday and was hitting patches under the new snow.

Your real problem was that you were skiing at Waterville Valley, where things are even icier.

 

[Nick]

Grooming.

Yes and no, you can get pretty icy bump fields in the woods also, But not that flat, sheer ice, you could literally ice skate on it kinda thing.

 

[bdfreetuna]

Yes and no, you can get pretty icy bump fields in the woods also, But not that flat, sheer ice, you could literally ice skate on it kinda thing.

Icy bump fields in the woods are one of my favorite conditions. If I see woods that are glazed over you can bet I am going to get in there and get down one way or another.

Grew up skiing Berkshire East (Berkshire Iced) and dodging ski patrol in the woods as a reckless young kid..

Still can't get over that icy woodsy jump turn skid-your-way-down and hang onto a tree for life thrill !

 

[witch hobble]

The new snow was super light a fluffy, and fell on top of ice.

That. We had rain last week, followed immediately by a deep freeze. Then the new snow was super light. And people had been hammering away at it for two days before you got to it.

 

[Nick]

I like the fluffy stuff. Mostly because, you can push yourself, and if you wreck it's like landing in a big fluffy pillow. You can then just lay they for a second and eat snow while you regain your composure.

 

[snoseek]

the wind and the way the new snow bonds to the old snow is pretty important i think. Ideally if starting with a hard base then some heavy snow followed by lighter stuff on top works the best in my experience.

 

[planb420]

Snowboarders

your just mad cuz I gave you a run for your money at the Bump or Bust LOL:-o

 

[steamboat1]

Uhhh it rained last Tues. & then everything froze solid Tues. night. 8" ain't covering that up. I seriously doubt they even had 1/2 that much snow afterwards however . Not really a perplexing question.

 

[Redliner]

I like the fluffy stuff. Mostly because, you can push yourself, and if you wreck it's like landing in a big fluffy pillow. You can then just lay they for a second and eat snow while you regain your composure.

Lol!! It also slows us old folks down as were sliding down the steeps trying to get your skiis below you nothing like yardsaling it and accelerating down the slope headfirst


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.687105,-71.893058

 

[Black Phantom]

Someone pissed on the trail.