Snow conditions terminology?

[drjeff]

Another one of my favorite terms, although not neccessarily when it's the primary surface, is "Dust on Crust" Best described as what happens after a thaw/quick deep freeze with associated high winds combined with either some fresh snow(either man made or the real stuff) and/or a pass or two with a machine groomer. The wind blown soft stuff on top quickly becomes airborne "dust" leaving you with the enjoyable *cough* frozen crust underneath.

 

[drjeff]

I still take extreme issue with the term "Packed Powder" to the point that I clarify "true Packed Powder" in my personal trail reports. The definition provided at that link is the one used by most resorts and it is over generalizing and misleading:


So essentially this covers everything from Machine Groomed to non-fluffy powder that has been "packed" down. This covers an extremely broad range of conditions. I think there is a MAJOR difference between machine groomed and "true packed powder" which has not been groomed. I have never ever skied machine groomed snow that feels anything like true packed powder. Once a groomed has made a pass over packed powder, IMHO, it is now a variety of machine groomed. There are essentially three versions of machine groomed including machine groomed packed snow, machine groomed hard pack, and machine groomed frozen snow. None of these feel like true packed powder that groomers have not hit. These are all my own personal preferences for nomenclature and you will not find any ski areas using these terms but rather loving "packed powder" to death.

Agree 100% with river! For true reporting nowadays, most days the reports should have MGR infront of the surface description with the likely exceptions to this being powder, wet snow and to some extent spring/variable condtions

 

[ctenidae]

If it snowed last night, conditions will either be powder or groomed out
If it rained last night, conditions will be machine groomed or slush
If it snowed or rained last week, it will be machine groomed.

Does anyone really pay attentiion to the reports snow conditions? "Packed Powder" to me means "normal conditions". Anything else is a lie, and won't be that way by the time I get there, anyway. I just look at base depth and last snow. Marketing fluff is nice, but does nothing for the snow.

 

[billski]

If it snowed last night, conditions will either be powder or groomed out
If it rained last night, conditions will be machine groomed or slush
If it snowed or rained last week, it will be machine groomed.

Does anyone really pay attentiion to the reports snow conditions? "Packed Powder" to me means "normal conditions". Anything else is a lie, and won't be that way by the time I get there, anyway. I just look at base depth and last snow. Marketing fluff is nice, but does nothing for the snow.

Yes, I do. I look for a trend across nearby areas over several days. It's not the only data element I consider - I check the NWS for actual precip - of both kinds. With all that info, I make my own assessment. In time, you learn you can trust some reports more than others.

 

[billski]

Another one of my favorite terms, although not neccessarily when it's the primary surface, is "Dust on Crust" Best described as what happens after a thaw/quick deep freeze with associated high winds combined with either some fresh snow(either man made or the real stuff) and/or a pass or two with a machine groomer. The wind blown soft stuff on top quickly becomes airborne "dust" leaving you with the enjoyable *cough* frozen crust underneath.

I really admire MRG's reporting chutzpah and forthrightness - I have seen them write "dust on crust" in their reports. It takes more specifics like this to really describe the situation. They are also one of the few resorts to actually report on woods conditions.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

No mention of packed chowda? Jeezum.

Haha you NewEnglanders saying Jeezum...lol..it sounds like another word that I can't mention since this is a family site..lol

 

[drjeff]

Haha you NewEnglanders saying Jeezum...lol..it sounds like another word that I can't mention since this is a family site..lol

Even better (or maybe I should say Bet-tah) Jeezum that Chowda was wicked good

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Even better (or maybe I should say Bet-tah) Jeezum that Chowda was wicked good

Or for the Philly AZs..

Aye youz wanna get a Steak down at Pats an sum Wooter Ice..lol