snow crust

American  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of snow crust

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snow crust

He needed a perfect snow crust for the long tramp over the ridge; and at last the bright days and the icy dawns had made it.

From The Voice of the Pack by Marshall, Edison

The next day Smith went out again, but the noise made by the snow crust breaking under his feet frightened the deer he saw, and he could not get a shot at them.

From Stories Of Ohio by Howells, William Dean

But even when out on the snow crust the creature lay as inert as a dead bear.

From A Busy Year at the Old Squire's by Stephens, C. A. (Charles Asbury)

He knew what the Chinook could do to a snow crust.

From The Snowshoe Trail by Marshall, Edison

In a few days the snow crust would be firm enough to trust, and hand in hand they would go down toward Bradleyburg.

From The Snowshoe Trail by Marshall, Edison