packed snow
Compressed winter accumulation
Packed snow is snow that has been compressed by weight, traffic, or deliberate tamping, making it denser and firmer than fresh powder.
Ski slopes feature packed snow for better control; roads develop packed snow from repeated tire passes.
It's harder to shovel than loose snow but provides a more stable surface for walking or driving: The trail was packed snow all the way to the summit.
- compactedPressed into less space
- snowpackAccumulated mountain winter layers
- crustHard outer layer
- firmSolid or resolute
- icyFrozen or unfriendly
slick · ice crust · groomed · trail · walking trail · ski · cross country · winter sports · sled · snowball fight · crunch · footprints · fresh tracks · winter · frozen · dense · solid · squeaky
- Snowsnowpack, snowfield, snowbank, snowdrift, snowstorm
- Trail Conditionswet, dry, muddy, icy, slippery
- Winter Terrainice field, snowdrift, snowpack, frozen tundra, glacier
- snow conditionspowder, groomed, hardpack, icy, slushy
- snow terrainglacier, snowfield, ice sheet, snowdrift, powder
- snowshoeingsnowshoes, poles, bindings, gaiters, baskets