Observation 2/4/2026
Variable Wind Effected snow observations
Johns Brook Valley
Observation Details
While skinning up a N/ NE slide in John's Brook Valley between 3500' to 4000', we observed a snowpack with variable depths. Throughout the day, there were increasing clouds and minimally increasing wind. Later in the afternoon there were light flurries.
The top unconsolidated snow layers had a sugary consistency in some areas and a more standard "powder" consistency in others. Pockets of unconsolidated snow ranged from from 5cm to 40cm deep.
Some convex slopes developed shallow and unreactive stiff windboard layers of about 3-4cm - these were generally avoided due to worse ski conditions. The deeper snowpacks (over 150cm) seemed to be sitting on top of the rain/ refreeze layer. Some shallower areas (less than 10cm deep) were sitting on ice bulge layers with minimal adhesion. The skiing was great overall with really good coverage, but the sugary snow can present issues later on - there seems to be a lot of snow for transport if the winds increase.