snow crust

American  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of snow crust

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

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

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

From The Voice of the Pack by Marshall, Edison

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

This evening Peter came and said that he was certain he had heard a bear moving about and pawing the ice; he and Pettersen had stood and listened to him scraping at the snow crust.

From Farthest North Being the Record of a Voyage of Exploration of the Ship 'Fram' 1893-1896 Vol. I by Nansen, Fridtjof