Latest posts on skiing, snowboarding, and snow science
I is for Ice Formations
One of the things I’ve found challenging in learning about the cryosphere is the large number of terms related to ice, such as ice sheets, ice caps, ice shelves, and icebergs, all of which begin as snow. There’s also sea ice and its various forms.
Ski goggles technology and terminology
Goggles are one of the most important pieces of skiing and snowboarding gear. Without them, you could be in for a long day on the slopes.
Avalanche probe: gear you hope to never use for real
An avalanche probe is a rod that’s used to poke through avalanche debris in order to find a buried victim.
Snow cornice: beautiful but potentially deadly
A mass of overhanging ice or snow, typically found on a ridgetop or edge of a cirque.
Sick day, as in ski sickness (aka Häusler’s disease)
Ski sickness is a form of motion sickness that can strike skiers when visibility is poor in fog, whiteout, blizzards, and flat light conditions.
What is sastrugi (aka zastrugi)?
Sastrugi is a wind-sculpted snow formation with irregular grooves and/or ridges.
