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

For Koot on his snow-shoes this had no danger; but for the mongrel that was to draw the pelts back to the fort, the snow crust was more troublesome than glass.

From The Story of the Trapper by Laut, A. C.

The snow crust was so hard and the walking so good that we struck directly across the fields and pastures to the northeast and within an hour reached the town corner on the Silver farm.

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

Previously their sport had been many times interrupted either by the fall of fresh snow or a thaw that had softened the snow crust; but now every afternoon was too perfect to remain indoors.

From The Voice of the Pack by Marshall, Edison

He slid along the snow crust, clear to the mouth of the lean-to.

From The Voice of the Pack by Marshall, Edison

His green eyes gleamed hungrily in his tawny face, and he crouched so close to the snow crust that his whiskers dragged on the ground.

From The Adventures of Fleetfoot and Her Fawns by Chaffee, Allen