What is a snow drift? A snow drift is a large group of snow that has built up over time. This forms because of wind constantly blowing snow over a hill for a large amount of time. We want to be clear this is not a cornice. A snow drift has many variations in depth, they can be anywhere from 1-5 ft deep. If they are 5ft deep you won’t sink all the way to the bottom because the snow will compact underneath you, but you could sink 4 ft down. These drifts are usually powder but can have an ice layer on top.
How to spot a snow drift
These tips will not only help you spot a snow drift but keep you from falling in (and they will help you more if you want to fall in). The first step is to look for lines in the snow. They aren’t always obvious so look carefully. Snow drifts most commonly form on hills and steep banks of streams, but every once and a while they form on flat ground. The other day we ran into one of these. We’re not quite sure why they form, but we have few theories. Feel free to share your theories in the comments. There will be a picture attached of these strange formations. Our theory is that if there is a small bump in the ground even if you can’t see it, snow will build up slowly but surely until it drifts. Another one of our theories is wind is blowing one way for awhile and a big gust blows from the other direction pushing the snow up into a pile.
Cornices and snow drifts
You may ask, “ What is the difference between a cornice and snow drift ” ( if you don’t know what a cornice is click this link) ↙
A snow drift is built on solid ground while a cornice is overhanging. If you jump into the snow in a snow drift you will stay there but if you jump onto a cornice will fall right through ( there are things that are overhanging snow drifts but they’re just like mini cornices). Snow drifts and cornices have different uses, but are both some of the best places to play in the winter. See “ Snow drift uses”.
Snow drift uses
Some of the best ways to use a snow drift are these: the first one is snowball stashes. This is one of the best thing you can do with a snow drift, all you have to do is hollow it out and make some snowballs. Second, an ambush, “how do you ambush a snow drift?” you ask; First things first, you don’t, you use the snow drift to do the ambush.Use a snow drift for an ambush is simple, first you hollow out a hole in the drift since it’s built on a hill you crouch beneath it and wait for the right moment. When this moment comes, jump out, scream a war cry and chuck snowballs left and right at the person. ( You may want to add a peep hole so you don’t miss this opportunity). Be sure you have walls so they can’t hit you back! To build a peephole without collapsing you fort we will explain. You first wait a little bit so your fort can set. Next, you use a fist to hollow out a hole put pressure but not to much or you will break your peephole. They are also good for slides and sledding. For sliding be careful or you might break a hole in the ice layer, if you don’t know how see the past article posted above. Drifts are the best for penguin sliding. Use the ice layer for your base and just keep going down, DO NOT give up! Sledding, just sled right across the ice layer and make a track.
- Nyssa and Ellis
Writing these articles is one of the high points of our week, thank you so much for reading! We love your supportive comments. Next week’s article will be written by Arden.
