3 Different Types of Snow (and What They Look Like)

If you happen to spend a number of time within the mountains throughout the winter, you might be more likely to see many several types of snow. For skiers, understanding the totally different sorts of snow and what it appears like will help you perceive the situations earlier than you step into your skis. 

I’m Christine, the founding father of this weblog and a lifelong skier. By way of a long time of expertise within the snow, I do know and perceive the several types of snow. I do know what these snow varieties seem like and the way that impacts snowboarding. 

This put up will check out the several types of snow you’ll see whereas snowboarding. I’ll clarify the variations between every kind and allow you to know what they seem like. This data will help you perceive snowboarding situations and terrain extra in-depth. 

Let it snow. 

Preliminary Ideas

There are two major methods to consider the several types of snow. 

A scientific look examines the kind of crystal that varieties right into a snowflake. That is based mostly on moisture and temperature situations.

A skier’s description of the snow kind remains to be based mostly on moisture and temperature, however the names will describe the snow situations somewhat than a scientific identify. 

Each of those strategies of snow kind classification are legitimate. However for this text, I’ll spend extra time on the skier’s description of snow kind than the precise scientific classification of the snow crystals. 

Completely different Varieties of Snow

You in all probability already know that each snowflake that varieties within the ski and falls to earth has a singular form and construction. Every one in all these flakes is as particular person as human fingerprints, which is mind-blowing if you consider it. 

Fortunately, there aren’t an infinite quantity of snow sorts. Taking a look at a lot of these snow associated to snowboarding, there may be solely a handful you ought to be conscious of. 

1. Powder

Powder snow is the very best kind of snow for many skiers. It’s mild and fluffy, and when the powder begins to pile up, you possibly can anticipate a few of the finest ski situations potential. Powder is my favourite kind of snow to ski, and plenty of different skiers really feel the identical approach. 

Any such snow is created when the moisture and temperature are excellent. Ideally suited powder situations contain bigger snowflakes and comparatively dry moisture content material. Dry snow would possibly sound bizarre, however that is ultimate for snowboarding as a result of it stays fluffy somewhat than sticky. 

Powder snow is feasible when the temperature is between -20C to -10C (-5F to 15F). That is the best temperature vary for bigger snowflakes to develop as a result of they will freeze with out compacting or melting. 

However simply because the temperature is correct, powder situations nonetheless aren’t assured. The moisture content material additionally must be proper, and also you want a snow to water ratio between 20:1 to 30:1. 

What Does Powder Snow Look Like?

Powder snow appears like mild and fluffy powder. Think about powdered sugar however much less dense. Powder can stack up excessive as a result of the flakes are giant and don’t stick to at least one one other. It should look delicate and dry in comparison with different forms of snow. 

If you happen to decide up a handful of powder, it can shake off your hand. It gained’t kind simply into snowballs as a result of it’s comparatively dry. If you happen to have a look at a single powder snowflake, will probably be fairly giant and have the basic snowflake form. 

2. Moist Snow

Moist snow is one other frequent kind of snow that happens throughout the ski season. Moist snow has a better moisture content material than powder, resulting in extra compact situations that aren’t nearly as good for snowboarding. 

Moist snow happens when temperatures are hotter, and there may be extra water content material in every snowflake. This snow usually falls throughout the starting and finish of the ski season when the temperatures keep nearer to the freezing level than under it.

If in case you have ever heard a skier speak about spring snow or spring situations, this refers to moist snow. These flakes gained’t be as giant as powder flakes and will probably be denser with a decrease snow-to-water ratio. 

What Does Moist Snow Look Like?

Moist snow will look extra shiny and dense than powder snow on the floor. This shininess could make it look wetter, and you may often inform by taking a look at it that the snow is moist somewhat than powder. 

If you happen to decide up moist snow, it can really feel heavier due to the excessive moisture content material and can kind a snowball a lot simpler as a result of the upper temperatures and water make it a lot simpler to compact.

3. Icy Snow (Graupel)

Icy snow (additionally referred to as Graupel) is a singular kind of snow that’s not ultimate for snowboarding. This snow is created by snowflakes that flip into a special compacted crystal that turns right into a rounder form because it falls from the sky. 

Any such snow is usually confused with hail, however it’s nonetheless snow and never utterly ice. Icy snow doesn’t stack up as easily as different snow sorts, making for sketchy snow situations and an elevated probability for avalanches.

What Does Icy Snow Look Like? 

Icy snow will seem like pellets somewhat than flakes. The crystals have a rounder and extra compact form, which can make them seem like little balls and fall quicker from the ski. When icy snow falls whereas snowboarding, it may be fairly uncomfortable. 

Icy snow will seem considerably sharp and jagged when it stacks up. It might typically seem like powder from a distance, however you’ll discover that the snow is courser and never as clean if you decide it up. 

Snow Varieties vs Snow Situations

There’s a distinction between the snow sorts I simply described and the snow situations you ski in. 

If you happen to have a look at a snow report, you’ll see these situations: powder, packed powder, packed, ice, and spring situations. 

Powder situations clearly concerned powder snow. As soon as this snow will get skied on for some time and there are not any contemporary flakes to refresh it, the situations develop into packed powder. Each of those situations are a number of enjoyable to ski.

Packed snow situations happen when there are a number of skiers and there hasn’t been contemporary snow for some time. This snow may be extra slippery and happen from any kind of snow that has fallen and been skied on. 

Icy situations occur when a number of icy snow falls or the snow has gotten packed out and gone by means of freeze/thaw cycles. This makes for less-than-ideal snow situations, but it surely’s nonetheless skiable. 

Spring snow situations happen when temperatures are hotter, and the snow has extra water content material. Any such snow may be gradual, sticky, and mushy. This isn’t a great situation both, but it surely’s nonetheless skiable. 

Conclusion

The principle forms of snow you will note whereas snowboarding are powder, moist snow, and icy snow. Snowboarding is feasible on all of those, however powder is the best situation as a result of it’s delicate, surfy, and a number of enjoyable. 

Realizing what kind of snow is falling will help you higher perceive what situations are seemingly on the mountain, permitting you to organize and adapt as wanted.