Open Snow Takeoff at DYE Site

 Photo by Steve Gilbertson, Pilot

At times, due to weather conditions, an open snow takeoff was required at the DYE sites. "Open snow" means taking off from unprepared snow--off of the prepared DYE site ski-way. A very high cross wind component might precipitate such a takeoff. When "off runway," one may have to prepare his own ski-way by laying down a long length of ski-tracks in the soft snow. Then, the aircraft is taxied back to the start of the tracks. The compressed snow tracks are used as the "runway." This is somewhat dangerous because one never knows if there are hard stratugi or crevasses under the snow cover. Stratugi are wind shaped surface features, often like miniature sand dunes.

Note danger of "open snow" takeoffs and landings.