What is a cornice? A cornice is an overhanging drift that forms when snow is blown over a field and onto a steep hill/cliff. This formation is often icy with a powder layer on top. Because of this when you jump you will often fall right to the power covered ground. Other times you will get stuck, in these times you should build a tunnel slide.
Snow forts
Cornices are also great for snow forts. Here are some examples: dig straight into the cornice. Most of the time the wind will save you the effort of building walls. If there is a tree nearby, it will most likely have been hollowed out already. In this case you should build the walls. The best way to build walls is to take the ice chunks lying around ( we will elaborate on how to get these later, in the section “Slides and tunnels”) and place them on top of each other. Be sure to be ready for a lot of work.
Snowball fight defenses
If you have cornice and are challenged to a snowball fight, build a defense in the cornice! The best technique is to dig holes big enough for a person; these will help for both offense and defense. Another idea is to build a slide from a higher hole to a lower hole. ( For how to do this see “Slides and tunnels.”) Be sure to dig your holes deep enough to be protected. Over time your cornice will get bigger and bigger making it easier to build snow forts in the cornice.
Slides and tunnels
This is the section you need to read!
To start: how to get ice chunks ( and how to have fun while doing so.) Jump near the edge where there is still powder. Chunks of ice will come down with you. If the chunks of ice have been there for a few days they will be frozen to the ground. In this case make a sawing motion near the bottom of the chunk and after a minute or two the chunk will be free. Then make sure the bottom is flat to place on the next chunk. If you have trouble placing it, dig a small divot into the chunk below it or have a friend hold it in place. To make a slide (if there’s an ice layer) just slide down. If there’s not an ice layer, slowly push yourself with your hands down the cornice.
Now, to tunnels. Step one, jump in until you’re waist deep. It is also a good idea to have someone with you for two reasons. The first one is to dig from below (this will help make the tunnel bigger.) The second one is to pull you out. We learned from experience that pulling someone out is a difficult process. Step two, pull the person out (like we mentioned) and start to dig from the bottom and the top to widen the tunnel to fit you. Step three, make sure your tunnel has a steep angle or you’ll not make it out. Step four, have the bigger person go down to test if it is big enough, but first make sure there is NO heavy snow on the roof or it might fall. Step five, Have fun!!!!
One more tip: if you get cold go inside. Cornices are fun but not worth hypothermia. Until next week, which is “ How to spot snow drifts.” (We’re going to try to write a short article every week!)
- Nyssa and Ellis
