snow crust

noun

a relatively hard, upper layer or film of ice or compacted snow on a snow surface.

Origin of snow crust

First recorded in 1815–25

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Joe came down with great force, his feet foremost, and running through the snow-crust to a great depth.
Wild Western Scenes | John Beauchamp Jones
It went on, with varying success, till 'the moon of the snow crust,' as the Ojibbeways poetically style March.
Cedar Creek | Elizabeth Hely Walshe
It was evil going, and as he broke through the snow-crust mile after wearing mile, he felt himself grow weaker and weaker.
The Trail of '98 | Robert W. Service
The sound had come from close by on our left, but now we heard only a faint and receding patter on the snow crust.
The Cryptogram | William Murray Graydon
He lay quite still after a brief struggle that churned the snow crust to powder.
The Cryptogram | William Murray Graydon

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