Deep snow on the roof.

[Ralph Thornton]

This is the trailhead building for the Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, Montana. The amount of snow on the roof is typical for this time of year. They build buildings strong enough to handle the snow load. The snow depth on the woods is 3-4 feet.

 

[Glenn Clabo]

Nice shot...pretty picture. However...most of us here in southern New England can't wait for the stuff to stop falling and melts into the sea.

 

[Ralph Thornton]

If snow gets in the way I can understand the need to have it gone. But when it comes deep and stays for a long time one must learn to accommodate it into your lifestyle. Most of us accept the abundance of snow, ask for more and have learned to play in it.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

That's crazy!

So what stops the snow sliding off onto people passing by?

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Looks a bit like cartoon snow. I am sure at some point it all slides off at once. Maybe.

 

[Beth Carter]

wouldn't want to be the guy who has to shovel the walkway. nice shot.

 

[Ralph Thornton]

That's crazy!

So what stops the snow sliding off onto people passing by?

Never seen the snow slide off the building. And while I've been there many many times in winter I have not seen the trailhead building when there is no snow. The pitch of the roof is not steep and I believe the roof is asphalt shinlges. Roofs like that usually do not shed snow. It's also obvious that the roof is well insulated as there is no ice buildup around the edges.

Another tactics many folks use in snow country to prevent snow from sliding off a roof, especially over entry ways, is to install snow clips on the roof. These are small vertical fins that keep the snow from sliding.

Pretty much the whole town of West Yellowstone has roofs with snow piled hole like on the airhead building.

As far as shoveling goes. No one does that. The over hang keeps most snow off the porch and steps. The snow that does get on the porch is easily pushed off. The trail in front of the building and under the log arch isaski trail. It is groomed to make it flat and firm but the snow is never shoveled away. Definitely a winter wonderland and a nice place to play on the snow.

 

[Paul Lange]

Snow is apparently quite good insulation so if true not a bad idea to have loads on the roof. In Europe I have seen planks standing on their lengthwise ends mounted on the roofs to stop snow falling on people when they go out and shut their doors.