Snow is simple, right? Frozen H2O. But when you spend well over a hundred days annually clicking into skis, gliding, turning, playing on that “frozen H2O,” you see it as so much more than simple. Simple becomes: infinite, diverse, complex, and intricate. The vast, wide-ranging varieties of snow in many ways rival that of snowflakes themselves. And as with snowflakes, no two varieties are exactly, unquestionably alike.
Every corner of the earth blessed with snow knows a snow of its own, like no other. One such snow is the wind buff of Mammoth Mountain, California. While wind buff is a class of snow discernible at numerous frozen destinations around the world, this wind buff, found at Mammoth is of exceptional note. To say it is special is a gross understatement. Why? It’s inexplicably glorious. So much so that even with their fair share of powder days, the locals have recalibrated their snow radar to include wind buff detection.
What is wind buff? Wind buff is easily classifiable as “hero” snow. Many would even rank wind buff above powder. How does it earn such distinguished marks? As the term “hero” snow suggests: it’s effortless to ride — any which way you choose, it’s near impossible to make a bad turn. It’s very edgeable yet exceptionally slashable… all at the same time. Want to get barreled or take a trip to the whiteroom? No pow to be found? Wind buff has you covered. Literally.
But be ready for that eponymous wind. Wind buff doesn’t exist if not for wind, lots and lots of wind.
And here is perhaps the best part: forget the age-old adage of “no friends on a powder day.” On wind buff days, you can dominate the mountain and have friends, too! No need to race to the stash. No need to conceal that legendary cache. You could have an entire horde of wind buff feasting fiends mash down and cleaning the place up. Then, in a matter of seconds, the wind will reset and re-buff the snow, readying it for the next pack of snow revelers. Pretty amazing stuff.
When wind buff deposits begin to form, there is a vibe buzzing around about the party on the mountain, and everyone’s invited. Well, aside from those completely turned off by wind.
So next time you’re packing up your ride for a trip to the Eastern Sierra, days or even weeks after a winter storm has passed California, go on and proclaim to the dubious onlooker/neighbor/friend: “Winds are out of the southwest. Windbuff is up. I’ve got to go!”
