As a keen skier, it is of paramount importance for you to know about different kinds of snow. Understanding the types of snow will help you ski better and also help you handle yourself. Different snow types present different challenges; hence, to become a better skier, you should be able to understand the ways of the snow. Now, if you remember your school science lessons, then you know that snow is precipitation in the form of ice crystals. The form that it takes depends entirely on the temperature and humidity in the environment.

Languages which are used in the more snowy regions of the world tend to develop dozens, or even hundreds of words to describe the various different types and varieties. These words are devised to accurately describe the conditions, and if you know the snow, then you can also interpret the predictions. So, let’s get started with a few popular types of snow.

Powder snow

It’s the sweetest type of snow that has freshly fallen on the mountains. This is extremely light and fluffy and the best that you can get for a good start to your skiing. Floating in the air, you can have the finest experience with some powder all over you. If you want to get technical, you can even break down powder snow into various different subtypes depending on the texture and makeup of the snow.

One subtype of powder snow is known as blower. This snow seems almost like smoke and is light and dry, as a result of extremely cold temperatures. But, you need to have about 30 mm of this snow beneath you, or else you will either be scraping the rocks or blowing up powder in your face. Champagne powder is close to blower, as it is also light and fluffy.

Corduroy

Any surface that is smooth and groomed with soft and squeaky snow is corduroy. The perfectly groomed surface of this smooth, gripping and predictable surface is ideal for skiing and ski touring. The snow having gone through the process of freezing and refreezing is hard in the morning, but gets soft with the sunlight.

Corn snow

This snow is one of the loveliest snows you can find in a clear spring or in sunny weather. The snow melts during the day with the increasing temperature and then freezes during the night. It stays solid in the morning and softens with the daylight. Its smooth velvety surface gives a better grip, but you have this only for a few hours as the surface gets mushy with passing time.

Crud

Crud is a bit uneven and bumpy as it forms after the powder snow piles up in one place. You can also take it as the next level of the powder, with numerous little lumps of snow. Not so good for skiing, you can probably try to ski on it in the early morning as with the passing of the day, it would get wet and heavy.

Breakable Crust

You get this when the atmosphere is not cold enough to form the corn snow. It is characterized by a mushy surface underneath. It would hold your weight for a little bit of time but then will give away.

In some respects, the choice of which type of snow is best really comes down to personal preference. Powder snow has its benefits but equally comes with drawbacks as well. Whatever the case, it is useful to know some of the different ways in which snow can form, in order to help you enhance your skiing experience.