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Taos Avalanche Center

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 7, 2026
Submitted:
February 7, 2026
Zone or Region:
Taos Area
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Ring Finger

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Went out today to ski the ring finger. snowpack was faceted top to bottom. Wind transport dictated snow depth. More south westerly exposures were almost melted down to bare ground. The middle of the line, where there was the most wind deposit, was waist deep facet swimming.

Throughout the middle of the line, there was a 1" thick 4f crust with variable and inconsistent distribution.

At mid elevations there was variable depth, large, fist density facets, and above that were smaller fist density facets, beneath the variable distribution crust.

Towards the top of the ring finger where it splits into a northerly and southerly chute, the northerly chute (with more southern exposure) was fully baked. The snow was easily pack able into snowballs, suggesting higher water content.

No wet loose activity was observed as the snow heated up.

Media

Mid-line crust over facets of two different sizes
Smaller sized facets near the bottom
Larger facets near the top
Depth near the bottom was less than 1 hand
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