Types of Snow and Ice Cover

• Rime - This is a type of snow that forms at ground level and is off white in color. This is formed from droplets of water that freezes on trees, rocks, and just about anything that is exposed to the wind.


• Hoarfrost - This type of snow also forms at ground level. It takes on many different shapes like blades, cups, and scrolls, and is produced on clear nights and shaped by the wind.


• Powder snow - Light and fluffy, this form is caused by the loss of cohesion by temperature differences. Powder snow is a skier's favorite.


• Corn snow - This is a form of snow that goes through melting in early spring, making coarse, rounded crystals.


• Rotten snow - This is formed by soft, wet layers underneath a firmer layer. The only good skiing is in early morning, and no good after temperatures get warm during the day.


• Meltwater crust - This is a type of snow crust formed when water melting at the surface freezes again, making snow cohesive.


• Wind slab - This is formed when snow layers at the surface are disturbed by the wind and hardening that is caused by heating from the wind.


• Firnspiegel - This form is a thin layer of ice that forms on top of the snow. Also known as "Glacier Fire", this is formed when heat from solar radiation gets through and melts the snow underneath.


• Verglas - This is thin clear ice that forms on rocks, mostly in high elevations during spring and summer.

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