snow crust

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

Origin of snow crust

First recorded in 1815–25

Often the snow-crust gave way under me, and then the stiff heather reached right up to my chest.

The Forest Farm |Peter Rosegger
With wide-sprawled wings she thudded down upon the snow-crust, almost under the fox's complacent jaws.

The Secret Trails |Charles G. D. Roberts
When he did come up, we knew it by a little puff he gave, which threw some spray up through the little orifice in the snow-crust.

Cast Away in the Cold |Isaac I. Hayes
He heard quick, light footsteps in the snow-crust ahead of him.

Philip Steele of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police |James Oliver Curwood

Joe came down with great force, his feet foremost, and running through the snow-crust to a great depth.

Wild Western Scenes |John Beauchamp Jones