Every Spring, our Snow Safety Team spends a great deal of time tracking water movement in the snow. They do this in indirect ways like tracking the rising air temperature. They also pay attention to the rising level of our local stream, the Snake River (its flow is rising rapidly). Most importantly, they look directly at the snow, digging snow pits searching for water. We have instruments buried within the snow that indicate when water is present. When it is clear that water is on the move, we shut these areas due to concerns for wet slab avalanches. There is plenty of snow to ski. Our concern is avalanches.
Sometimes, we get a cold snap with new snow that stops or retards this process for a short period. Some years we have briefly re-opened these areas when conditions permit. Managing snow this time of year is a process of diligence, patience and perseverance.
