corn snow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist)Informal, Technical (skiing/mountaineering)
Quick answer
What does “corn snow” mean?
Granular, coarse snow formed by repeated melting and refreezing, resembling kernels of corn.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Granular, coarse snow formed by repeated melting and refreezing, resembling kernels of corn.
A specific type of spring snow condition prized by skiers and snowboarders for its predictable, smooth, and carveable texture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used identically in both skiing communities.
Connotations
Positive connotation for experienced skiers/boarders (ideal conditions); neutral or descriptive for meteorologists.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to relevant contexts. More likely heard in mountainous regions or sports reports.
Grammar
How to Use “corn snow” in a Sentence
The [slope/run] was covered in corn snow.We skied the corn snow on the south face.The warm sun created perfect corn snow.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corn snow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The corn-snow conditions were ideal for practising carved turns.
- We headed out for a classic corn-snow descent.
American English
- We searched for the best corn snow run on the mountain.
- It was a corn-snow kind of morning.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
[Rare] Might appear in tourism marketing for ski resorts.
Academic
[Rare] Could appear in papers on snow hydrology or geomorphology.
Everyday
Almost never used outside of skiing/mountaineering contexts.
Technical
Common term in skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, and avalanche forecasting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corn snow”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corn snow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corn snow”
- Using it to describe any wet snow (it's specifically granular, not slushy).
- Confusing it with 'hail' or 'graupel' (which are precipitation types, not transformed snowpack).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for experienced skiers. It provides a smooth, predictable, and carveable surface, often considered some of the best spring skiing conditions.
Typically in the late morning to early afternoon, after the overnight ice has softened from the sun's heat but before it becomes too wet and slushy.
Corn snow is granular and retains individual 'kernels,' offering support. Slush is wetter, more fluid, and offers little resistance, making turning difficult.
Yes. If the freeze overnight is insufficient, the underlying snowpack can become unstable, or the corn snow itself can slide on harder layers beneath, causing wet loose avalanches.
Granular, coarse snow formed by repeated melting and refreezing, resembling kernels of corn.
Corn snow is usually informal, technical (skiing/mountaineering) in register.
Corn snow: in British English it is pronounced /kɔːn snəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔːrn snoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not applicable for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine running your hands through a bin of large, dry corn kernels. The snow feels and sounds similar under your skis.
Conceptual Metaphor
SNOW IS A GRAIN CROP (kernels of corn).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of corn snow?