Snow bridge

For various man-made structures to protect from avalanches, see Snow barrier (disambiguation).

A snow bridge is an arc formed by snow across a crevasse, a crack in rock, a creek, or some other opening in terrain.^[1] It is typically formed by snow drift, which first creates a cornice, which may then grow to reach the other side of the opening.

A snow bridge across a creek

Dangers

A snow bridge concealing a crevasse in the back

A snow bridge may completely cover the opening and thus present a danger by creating an illusion of unbroken surface under which the opening is concealed by an unknown thickness of snow, possibly only a few centimetres.

Snow bridges may also form inside a crevasse, making it appear shallow.^[2]

A snow bridge is thicker and stronger at the edge of a crevasse; therefore, a fall through a bridge usually happens at some distance from the edge.^[3]

See also

• Ice bridge