Industry News
With spring in full swing, skiers and snowboarders need to be aware of hazards they might run into on the mountain. The ski patrol at Palisades Tahoe, California, has recently noticed glide cracks forming on popular terrain at Alpine and Palisades. As a result, they posted about the glide cracks on their Facebook page to ensure that everyone is informed and mindful of these hazards.
Glide cracks are lengthy cracks or holes that are present in the snowpack. They appear more often as the weather gets warmer, and are commonly found next to rocks or ridgelines where cornices are formed. Glide cracks can be found anywhere on the mountain, but are frequently spotted on steeper terrain. Therefore, skiers and snowboarders need to be extra cautious when they are riding down terrain with these features.
Glide cracks are difficult to see, and when new snow covers them, it makes it even harder to avoid them. Moreover, if someone ends up falling in one, it’s important to stay calm and not move erratically. This will only cause more snow to cave in on the glide crack. The key is to use equipment such as skis, snowboards, and poles to help create stability and try to exit the glide crack from the side if possible.
According to OpenSnow, the forecast for this upcoming weekend at Palisades Tahoe predicts rain and snow showers with temperatures ranging between 40-50°F. Skiers and snowboarders at Palisades Tahoe this weekend should proceed with caution if they notice any type of hazard that might indicate a glide crack, especially in low visibility conditions.
Surprisingly, nowhere in the article does it mention that if a skier snowboarder comes across one of these glides to report it to officials so it could be marked thus alerting others of the danger.