snowfield
Alpine ice sheet
A snowfield is a broad, permanent expanse of snow, typically found at high elevations or in polar regions.
Unlike glaciers, snowfields don't move significantly under their own weight.
The term applies to any large area where snow persists year-round: We crossed the snowfield below the summit.
Slow-moving ice mass
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- peakUtmost height attained
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- crevasseDeep glacial fissure
avalanche · mountaineering · climbing · elevation · altitude · skiing · backcountry · traverse
Year-old compacting snow
- névéGranular, compacted alpine snow
- powderFine dry particles
- crustHard outer layer
- snowmeltLiquefied winter precipitation
accumulation · depth · layer · compaction · cornices · sublimation · ablation · snowcover
Water's solid form
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- glacialOf frozen rivers
- frigidExtremely and intensely cold
- subzeroBelow the freezing point
crystals · rime · hoarfrost · arctic · polar · cryosphere · frozen · icebound
Unbroken area of space
- plateauFlat highland area
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- basinConcave water receptacle
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
valley · plain · landscape · vista · panorama · horizon · breadth · stretch
Not contacted or affected
- unspoiledNot damaged or degraded
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
- virginOne sexually inexperienced
- immaculateCompletely without blemish
glistening · sparkling · white · crystalline · untrodden · serene · tranquil · remote
glacier
Slow-moving ice mass
crevasse · avalanche · mountaineering · climbing · elevation · altitude · skiing · backcountry · traverse · couloir
firn
Year-old compacting snow
snowmelt · accumulation · depth · layer · compaction · cornices · sublimation · ablation · snowcover · seasonal
ice
Water's solid form
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- glacialOf frozen rivers
- frigidExtremely and intensely cold
subzero · crystals · rime · hoarfrost · arctic · polar · cryosphere · frozen · icebound · frostbitten
expanse
Unbroken area of space
slope · valley · plain · landscape · vista · panorama · horizon · breadth · stretch · vastness
untouched
Not contacted or affected
immaculate · glistening · sparkling · white · crystalline · untrodden · serene · tranquil · remote · secluded
- ArcticArctic Circle, Arctic Ocean, Arctic wildlife, Arctic exploration, Arctic research
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- Snowsnowbank, blizzard, powder, flurry, flurries
- AlpsAlps, Swiss Alps, Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Austrian Alps
- Arctic/Tundratundra, permafrost, glacier, arctic fox, polar bear
- Extreme Terrainabyss, arctic, Antarctic, Antarctica, Death Valley
snowfielddesert
To leave behind completely
sand dune · lava field · tropical beach · savanna · scorched earth
snowfieldsand dunes
Wind-sculpted sediment formations
desert floor · grassland · meadow · mudflat · prairie
snowfieldlake
Enclosed body of freshwater
sea · pond · hot spring · thermal pool · swamp