Reading slush before it wrecks your line

The problem

Slush is rarely about the whole mountain having bad snow — it's about specific slopes softening faster than others. A run that was perfect an hour ago can turn into deep, grabby slush once the sun swings onto it, and dropping into it unexpectedly is how turns get lost and edges catch.

Why it happens

Sun Exposure integrates the sun's path across every daylight hour for the day you're viewing. At each point it factors in the slope's aspect and steepness from the elevation model, then casts shadows from surrounding peaks — so shaded couloirs and sun-baked pockets both show up clearly, not just an average.

How to check it in First Chair

1. Turn on Sun Exposure

   Open Map Layers and switch on Sun Exposure. Slopes that stay shaded read cooler; slopes that catch sun most of the day read warmer.

2. Check Snow Quality for the run

   If the surface class already shows “slushy” or “wet,” that run has likely already turned — no need to guess.

3. Confirm it in Shoot/Compass mode

   Point your phone at the slope ahead of you. The same shadow/sun read overlays directly on the real terrain in front of you, not just the map.

4. Favor the shadier option

   When two runs look similar on the trail map, pick the one with more shade history for that time of day.