Different Types of Snowfall

There are a variety of different types of snowfall which occur on a mountain depending on altitude, temperature, and the amount of use on the snow. Knowing these different types of snow can help you to become a good skiier or snowboarder.

• POWDER - This is soft snow that has freshly fallen and has not yet been touched. it forms a soft, smooth surface, and feels weightless. This is a favourite for skiiers and snowboarders to ride on as its helpful for practicing tricks and carving and you can control your speed easier. When skiing on powder you must lean further back than you usually would and keep your skies very close together to maintain maximum balance.
• CRUD - This occurs after people have ridden through the powder. The snow begins to get packed at certain places and piled at others. This results in areas of lumpy and slippery patches. Skiing and snowboarding on crud is more challenging than riding on powder. You must keep your knees bent and skis close together to absorb the impact, ride more aggresively and try to pick out the route which you will take.
• CRUST - this occurs to the top layer of powder. When the sun shines and wind blows this layer of snow begins to melt. If the temperature then drops low, the layer of snow will freeze over the powder forming crust. When riding on crust you must pick out ur route carefully as if you are in someones elses tracks you may not be able to turn easily.
• SLUSH - The snow begins to melt as the temperature rises above freezing point. The snow crystals begin to melt, turning into large grains of ice forming slush.Slush is hader to turn on than soft snow. You must ski aggresivly and and carve to ski well on slush.
• ICE - Ice does not usually occur on a mountain, it is usually snow which has repeatdly melted and then frozen again forming a slippery, hard slope. To ski on ice you must carve hard into the ice keep to a controlled speed and ensure not to brake too hard or you will probably overturn and fall.

These different types of snow effect the way which you would ski or snowboard, The lower areas of the mountain would witness more slush than the higher areas, while the higher areas witness more icey conditions. Powder is the most idealistic snow to ski or snowboard on, and is the easiest way to learn the techniques needed to ride.