Surface hoar and variable PWL on Slide Mtn

We toured on S-SW-W-NW and N aspects of Slide Mountain between 8,500'-9600'.  On S-SW aspects, the surface softened enough by late morning to make for enjoyable spring skiing.  North aspects still held cold surface snow into the afternoon.  Small 2-3 mm surface hoar was found in open areas from 8,000-9600,' on N aspects it was still intact at 2pm.  We dug 2 pits at 8,900' on a west aspect, and found the 1/4 crust/facets approx 20 cm below the surface.  The facets were rounding but still fist hardness and uncohesive below the crust.  ECTP 23, PST40/100 end on this layer.  A quick pit at the same elevation a few hundred yards away on a NW aspect had ECTN results x2 on the 1/4 layer.    We noticed a high degree of variabllity not only in the 1/4 crust, but also the amount and density of the snow above the crust within this area, depending on aspect, elevation, and previous wind loading.