First Turns

Clear skies and pleasant temperatures made for great first turns today. In general, snow conditions are good for early November, but will only last a while. There is anywhere from 50-60 cm (~21 in) of snow coverage near and above tree line. The snow surface is primarily soft and powdery with some wind effect on higher exposed areas. The main crux is avoiding shallow spots and obstacles, like rocks and down timber. The upper mountain above Helen Lake still looks "sharky" with many rocks and more significant amounts of wind effect. Northern aspects near and below the treeline hold the best conditions for cold, soft snow.