Corn Snow ??

I always see the phrase "corn snow" used in trip reports . . . more often HOPE OF CORN, SEARCH OF CORN etc.

Has any one really considered this definition ?

Large-grained, rounded crystals formed from repeated melting and freezing of the snow.

www.avalanche.org/~uac/encyclopedia/cornsnow.htm

Corn Snow becomes “ripe” when the bonds between the snow grains just start to melt, providing a velvety surface texture perfect for many types of riding. This usually occurs in the morning hours, but the exact timing is very aspect dependent. Seasoned corn harvesters know that predicting this timing is an art form honed through experience. If you’re too early, the frozen surface can rattle out your fillings. Worse is arriving too late, after too many bonds have melted and the corn snow has turned into deep, dangerous slush. The slope that may have been perfect an hour ago is now prime for wet snow avalanches.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

To me it’s like grilling a nice thick steak. Most people don’t want it raw or burnt -when you get it just right it is both delicious and satisfying
I tend to err on the side of underdone because it keeps cooking when you take it off the grill.
Also, most people don’t break out the bar-be-ques until spring

Wondering if anyone has been up on south facing aspects today? I know the sun angle is low this time of year, but the temperatures have been awfully warm up in the mountains the last couple of days and presumably its been clear overnight. Seems like it could be setting up pretty nicely in sunny areas (ie. spring corn) for this weekend, but maybe I'm just dreaming?

I skied a sw line at about 1 pm yesterday. Skiing was great (corn). It was very, very warm above 5k. Almost too warm IMO. Felt more line June than January.

Wondering if anyone has been up on south facing aspects today?  I know the sun angle is low this time of year, but the temperatures have been awfully warm up in the mountains the last couple of days and presumably its been clear overnight.  Seems like it could be setting up pretty nicely in sunny areas (ie. spring corn) for this weekend, but maybe I'm just dreaming?

Mosetick and I skied one short lap at alpental on Tuesday till we were chased off by the guards (nice fellow in a red coat).  Hard snow! Bad snow! Then we hiked up to Kendall Knob, topping out around 2.  The snow in the sun was Great! 2-3" of really soft stuff on a very hard base.   Didn't dig pits or test anything.  No evidence of any instability.  Funny though, the thing that gave me fits was very nice soft corn in the sun, then I'd ski behind a small tree, through it's shadow, and the still fozen crust always threated to wipe me out. 

I'm wondering about Granite Mountain this weekend...

Whoa - I just checked the telemetry at Paradise....69 degrees! Sure does sound more like June than January...